Step-etched prism coupling for optical waveguide biosensors

Yan Zhou; Yee Loy Lam; Shi De Cheng; Chan Hin Kam

doi:10.1117/12.328701

4 December 1998 Step-etched prism coupling for optical waveguide biosensors

Yan Zhou, Yee Loy Lam, Shi De Cheng, Chan Hin Kam

Proceedings Volume 3491, 1998 International Conference on Applications of Photonic Technology III: Closing the Gap between Theory, Development, and Applications; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.328701
Event: 1998 International Conference on Applications of Photonic Technology, 1998, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract

We report a light input coupling method into a buried planar waveguide that is very promising for applications in disposable optical waveguide biosensors. The superstrate of the waveguide is step-etched and a prism made from polystyrene is permanently bonded onto the etched step using optical glue. The plastic prism and the waveguide form a `plug-in' assembly of the disposable part of a biosensor system. For light input coupling, no other pressure sensitive contact of optical components is required and a laser beam simply needs to be directed at the right position. Our experimental results show that the coupling has a highly reproducible efficiency of more than 20% and the coupling efficiency is reasonably tolerant of misalignment. Since the waveguide is fabricated using the ion-exchange process and the prism can be made using injection molding, we believe that our method is very suitable for planar-waveguide-based disposable biosensors.

Citation Download Citation

Yan Zhou, Yee Loy Lam, Shi De Cheng, and Chan Hin Kam "Step-etched prism coupling for optical waveguide biosensors", Proc. SPIE 3491, 1998 International Conference on Applications of Photonic Technology III: Closing the Gap between Theory, Development, and Applications, (4 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.328701

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