Researchers have developed a new type of optical barcode that could revolutionize high-resolution sensors. These barcodes use whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators, which are tiny cavities that trap light and can be used to detect chemicals and other substances. However, traditional WGM resonators have limitations, such as a narrow dynamic range and limitations in resolution and accuracy.
Because of their peculiar geometry, whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators have been employed for decades to detect single molecules, DNA strands, and chemical fingerprints. However, their low dynamic range, resolution, and precision have prevented them from being widely used. A new study illustrates that optical WGM barcodes for multimode sensing are a revolutionary way to get around these restrictions.
By considering the unique responses from each mode, researchers’ novel technique enables the simultaneous monitoring of numerous resonant modes within a single WGM resonator, greatly increasing the range of measurements possible. WGM sensing uses a particular light wavelength that can go around the microresonator’s perimeter millions of times. The resonance frequency of the circulating light changes when the sensor comes into contact with a molecule. Researchers may quantify this shift to find and identify individual chemicals.
Multimode sensing, a key innovation in WGM sensing, allows for detecting multiple resonance changes in wavelength. This expands the range of particles that can be sensed and broadens the spectrum of wavelengths that optical WGM sensing can cover. The technique also enhances resolution and accuracy. Compared to the standard method for WGM sensing, the theoretical limit of WGM detection using this novel method was approximately 350 times larger.
The potential commercial applications of multimode WGM sensing span the chemical, environmental, and Biomedical fields. This technique could revolutionize drug discovery and illness diagnosis by enabling the identification of minute changes in molecular interactions. It could also facilitate monitoring pollution levels in air and water and developing early warning systems for natural disasters. Furthermore, the continuous monitoring of chemical processes made possible by this technique could have significant implications in the food sector, materials science, and pharmaceutical industries.
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