An Integrated Model of Optofluidic Biosensor Function and Performance

• Main Author: Wright, Jr., Joel Greig
• Format: Others
• Published: BYU ScholarsArchive 2021
• Subjects: optofluidics; single molecule detection; integrated optics; ARROW; fluorescence; biosensor; lab-on-a-chip; microfluidics; model; FDTD
• Online Access: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/9267; https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10276&context=etd

Optofluidic flow-through biosensor devices have been in development for fast bio-target detection. Utilizing the fabrication processes developed by the microelectronics industry, these biosensors can be fabricated into lab-on-a-chip devices with a degree of platform portability. This biosensor technology can be used to detect a variety of targets, and is particularly useful for the detection single molecules and nucleic acid strands. Microfabrication also offers the possibility of production at scale, and this will offer a fast detection method for a range of applications with promising economic viability. The development of this technology has advanced to now warrant a descriptive model that will aid in the design of future iterations. The biosensor consists of multiple integrated waveguides and a microfluidic channel. This platform therefore incorporates multiple fields of study: fluorescence, optical waveguiding, microfluidics, and signal counting. This dissertation presents a model theory that integrates all these factors and predicts a biosensor design's sensitivity. The model is validated by comparing simulated tests with physical tests done with fabricated devices. Additionally, the model is used to investigate and comment on designs that have not yet been allocated time and resources to fabricate. Tangentially, an improvement to the fabrication process is investigated and implemented.