Localized biosensing with Topas microstructured polymer optical fiber

Abstract

We present what is believed to be the first microstructured polymer optical fiber (mPOF) fabricated from Topas cyclic olefin copolymer, which has attractive material and biochemical properties. This polymer allows for a novel type of fiber-optic biosensor, where localized sensor layers may be activated on the inner side of the air holes in a predetermined section of the mPOF. The concept is demonstrated using a fluorescence-based method for selective detection of fluorophore-labeled antibodies.

Self-assembled nanoparticles of functional copolymers for photonic applications

“…In fact, in a periodic structure of PCs, light propagation is not permitted within selected frequency ranges and this band gap is a function of the refractive index modulation. Moreover, different functionalities can favor the implementation of biosensors based on PCs [28,29]. For example, Jensen and co-workers used photonic crystal fibers (PCF) for sensing antibodies and DNA, but in general these materials are difficult to assemble in a compact and automated biochip [30,31].…”

Cellulose acetate polymer film modified microstructured polymer optical fiber towards a nitrite optical probe

“…Since a significant portion of the guided light can overlap with chemical-biological materials filled into the air holes of the fibers, the fabrication of incorporating passive and active materials within the holes allows them to interact strongly with the optical mode, and offers huge potential to the field of fiber optic chemical and biological sensing [2][3][4][5][6]. The sensing mechanism of the MOF can be either based on absorption or fluorescence spectroscopy [7].…”

Birefringence measurement of polymer photonic crystal fibers infiltrated with liquid crystals by depolarization of light effect

“…This material is most commonly used in manufacturing mPOFs, mainly due to their optical and mechanical properties. Nowadays, mPOFs are also manufactured from polycarbonate (PC) [7][8], ZEONEX [9], and TOPAS [10] polymers. One of the undoubted advantages of mPOFs in comparison to silica-glass optical fibers is their easier fabrication process by extrusion or drilling at low temperatures.…”