Towards a Mid-Infrared Lab-on-Chip Sensor using Ge-on-Si Waveguides

Millar, R.W. , Griskevicuite, U., Gallacher, K. , Baldassarre, L., Sorel, M. , Ortolani, M. and Paul, D.J. (2019) Towards a Mid-Infrared Lab-on-Chip Sensor using Ge-on-Si Waveguides. In: 2019 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC), Munich, Germany, 23-27 Jun 2019, ISBN 9781728104690 (doi: 10.1109/CLEOE-EQEC.2019.8871521)

Abstract

For the last decade, germanium has been proposed as an excellent material for passive mid-infrared (MIR) integrated photonics. This technology allows for label-free sensing in the molecular fingerprint regime (6.7–20 μm), where molecules can be uniquely identified by their absorption spectra. Such a platform has the potential to enable low cost, miniaturized mid-infrared sensors for use in crucial applications such as explosives detection, pollution monitoring and detection of breath biomarkers for point of care diagnostics. There have now been a number of demonstrations of waveguides up to 8.5 μm wavelength using Ge [1] and SiGe [2] waveguides. Previously, we have demonstrated the first low loss Ge-on-Si waveguides from 7.5 to 11 μm, with losses as low as ∼1 dB/cm [3]. Here, we demonstrate their potential for sensing applications by evanescently sensing unique vibrations in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymers, in the spectral region of 7.5–10 μm wavelength.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Millar, Dr Ross and Sorel, Professor Marc and Paul, Professor Douglas and Gallacher, Dr Kevin
• Authors: Millar, R.W., Griskevicuite, U., Gallacher, K., Baldassarre, L., Sorel, M., Ortolani, M., and Paul, D.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• ISBN: 9781728104690
• Published Online: 17 October 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 IEEE
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher