Compact and fast read-out for wavelength-encoded biosensors

Abstract

Many existing and new optical bio-sensor concepts rely on the detection of small wavelength changes in response to changes of temperature, adhesion of bio-particles, strain, or change in the chemical environment. Special coatings are used to can sensitize them to specifically bound molecules (e.g., biomarkers). We will describe a compact and fast wavelength monitor that can resolve sub-pm wavelength changes. This unit has been characterized by reading out a FBG sensor. We could clearly monitor wavelength changes as small as 50fm with a bandwidth of more than 100Hz.