A team of researchers has developed a new type of metasurface that can trap light more efficiently than previous designs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more sensitive and compact biosensors. The new light-trapping metasurface has a thin silicon layer with a patterned surface. The pattern is designed to trap light in a specific wavelength range. Light is trapped and confined to the surface when it hits the metasurface. This increases the interaction between light and matter, which can be used to improve the sensitivity of biosensors.
The researchers tested the new metasurface by using it to detect a protein called biotin. They found that the metasurface could detect biotin at concentrations as low as 1 picomolar. This is a significant improvement over previous biosensors, which could only detect biotin at concentrations of 10 picomolar or higher.
The researchers believe that their new metasurface could be used to develop various new biosensors. These sensors could detect various molecules, including proteins, DNA, and viruses.
The metasurface comprises a thin silicon layer with a patterned surface that traps light in a specific wavelength range. When light hits the metasurface, it excites the silicon’s electrons. This creates a collective excitation of electrons called a polariton, which is then trapped on the metasurface’s surface.
The researchers used a special type of microscope called a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) to image the polaritons on the metasurface. They found that the polaritons were tightly confined to the surface of the metasurface. This is what allows the metasurface to trap light so efficiently.
The researchers believe that their new light-trapping metasurface could be used to develop various new biosensors. These sensors could detect various molecules, including proteins, DNA, and viruses.
The new metasurface could be used for other applications besides biosensing, such as light harvesting and optical computing.
The development of this new metasurface is a significant breakthrough in optics. It could lead to the development of more sensitive and compact biosensors, which could have many applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and other fields.
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