Technology

SAFEbiosense holds a a patent-pending core technology based on a novel optical biosensor using a one-dimensional photonic crystal structure in a total-internal-reflection geometry (PC-TIR). The platform technology utilizing the unique PC-TIR sensor opens up a wide range of applications for label-free biosensing. The PC-TIR configuration forms a micro Fabry-Perot resonator in the top layer which provides a sharp optical resonance, enabling label-free, highly sensitive measurements for the presence of analytes on the sensing surface or the refractive index change of the surrounding medium in the enhanced evanescent field. The high sensitivity of the sensor was experimentally demonstrated by bulk solvent refractive index changes, ultrathin molecular films adsorbed on the sensing surface, and real-time analytes binding, measuring both the spectral shift of the photonic crystal resonance and the change of the intensity ratio in a differential reflectance measurement. Detection limits of 7x10(-8) RIU for bulk solvent refractive index, 6x10(-5) nm for molecular layer thickness and 24 fg/mm(2) for mass density were obtained, which represent a significant improvement relative to state-of-the-art surface-plasmon-resonance (SPR)-based systems. The PC-TIR sensor has thus been utilized as a critical component in a promising technology platform for highly sensitive and accurate biosensing applications.