TY - JOUR
T1 - Detecting single nanoparticles using fiber-tip nanophotonics
AU - Hendriks, Arthur L.
AU - Rabelink, Daan
AU - Dolci, Mathias
AU - Dreverman, Paco
AU - Cano-Velázquez, Mildred S.
AU - Picelli, Luca
AU - Veldhoven, René P. J. van
AU - Zijlstra, Peter
AU - Verhagen, Ewold
AU - Fiore, Andrea
PY - 2024/4/1
Y1 - 2024/4/1
N2 - Sensing nano-objects, from nanoparticles to molecules, has become a crucial need in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and drug development. Detection of single particles and molecules is highly desirable, as it provides specific information on size, dynamics, and interactions. Current nanophotonic implementations rely on complex optical readout schemes, limiting their application in the field. Here we demonstrate a nanophotonic fiber-tip sensor with a compact sensor footprint and a simple readout scheme. We leverage advanced design methods to simultaneously achieve a small mode volume 𝑉𝑚=0.74(𝜆/n)3, narrow linewidth Δ𝜆=0.4nm, and a large modulation Δ𝑅≈20% in reflection from the fiber. This unique combination of properties opens the way to sensing weak nanoscale perturbations in the vicinity of the fiber tip. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate the real-time detection of single 50 nm nanoparticles. This opens a route towards real-time sensing of single nanoparticles, and potentially single molecules, in environmental monitoring and diagnostics.
AB - Sensing nano-objects, from nanoparticles to molecules, has become a crucial need in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and drug development. Detection of single particles and molecules is highly desirable, as it provides specific information on size, dynamics, and interactions. Current nanophotonic implementations rely on complex optical readout schemes, limiting their application in the field. Here we demonstrate a nanophotonic fiber-tip sensor with a compact sensor footprint and a simple readout scheme. We leverage advanced design methods to simultaneously achieve a small mode volume 𝑉𝑚=0.74(𝜆/n)3, narrow linewidth Δ𝜆=0.4nm, and a large modulation Δ𝑅≈20% in reflection from the fiber. This unique combination of properties opens the way to sensing weak nanoscale perturbations in the vicinity of the fiber tip. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate the real-time detection of single 50 nm nanoparticles. This opens a route towards real-time sensing of single nanoparticles, and potentially single molecules, in environmental monitoring and diagnostics.
KW - Coupled mode theory
KW - Fiber Bragg gratings
KW - Fiber optic sensors
KW - Photonic crystal cavities
KW - Single mode fibers
KW - Temperature sensors
KW - fiber-tip sensing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191880251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1364/OPTICA.516575
DO - 10.1364/OPTICA.516575
M3 - Article
SN - 2334-2536
VL - 11
SP - 512
EP - 518
JO - Optica
JF - Optica
IS - 4
ER -