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The growing need for new and reliable surface sensing methods is arousing interest in the electromagnetic excitations of ultrathin films, i.e., to generate electromagnetic field distributions that resonantly interact with the most significant quasi-particles of condensed matter. In such a context, Bloch surface waves turned out to be a valid alternative to surface plasmon polaritons to implement high-sensitivity sensors in the visible spectral range. Only in the last few years, however, has their use been extended to infrared wavelengths, which represent a powerful tool for detecting and recognizing molecular species and crystalline structures. In this work, we demonstrate, by means of high-resolution reflectivity measurements, that a one-dimensional photonic crystal can sustain Bloch surface waves in the infrared spectral range from room temperature down to 10 K. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of infrared Bloch surface waves at cryogenic temperatures. Furthermore, by exploiting the enhancement of the surface state and the high brilliance of infrared synchrotron radiation, we demonstrate that the proposed BSW-based sensor has a sensitivity on the order of 2.9 cm

We propose a rapid serologic test based on disposable nano-photonic biochips for SARS-CoV-2 related antibodies. The label-free sensograms showed that positive and negative human serum samples were discriminated, enabling real-time and fast label-free detection.

We report on the design, fabrication, and spectroscopic characterization of a 1D Photonic Cristal (1DPC) sustaining Bloch Surface Waves (BSWs) in the mid-infrared. The reported all-dielectric 1DPC structure shows potential for label-free biosensing applications to medical diagnostics.

An optical biosensor for proteomic breast cancer biomarker detection in complex media is presented. Bloch Surface Waves (BSW) excited onto one dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) were used to probe the interaction of HER2 with three antibody species and an inert protein (Bovine Serum Albumin - BSA). The optical system combines Label-Free readings to track the bioassay real-time development and Fluorescence emission quantification to evaluate the level of specific interaction between the antigen and the antibodies. The results confirm a distinguishable level of affinity between the antibodies and the analyte according to their specificity even at low antibody surface density (about 1173 pg/mm2).

Purposely tailored thin film stacks sustaining surface waves have been utilized to create a unique link between emission angle and wavelength of fluorescent dye molecules. The knowledge of the thin film stack’s properties allows us to derive the intrinsically emitted luminescence spectrum as well as to gain information about the orientation of fluorophores from angularly resolved experiments. This corresponds to replacing all the equipment necessary for polarized spectroscopy with a single smart thin film stack, potentially enabling single shot analyses in the future. The experimental results agree well with those from other established techniques, when analyzing the Rubrene derivative in a 2,4,6-tris(biphenyl-3-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (T2T) host used for the fabrication of optimized organic light-emitting diodes. The findings illustrate how resonant layered stacks can be applied to integrated spectroscopic analyses.

Photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence biosensors have been proposed as a novel immunodiagnostic tool, due to the increased fluorescence excitation rates and angular redistribution of the emission. Among these, purely dielectric one-dimensional photonic crystals (1DPC) sustaining Bloch surface waves (BSW) at their truncation edge have recently attracted much interest. We report for the first time on the time-resolved experimental study of the effects of excess reabsorption of the BSW coupled fluorescence in the near-infrared range around 800 nm. Temporally and angularly resolved measurements of the BSW coupled fluorescence emission permit putting into evidence a strong reabsorption of the fluorescence emission when using highly resonant 1DPC. The results suggest that, when designing 1DPC sustaining BSW for quantitative diagnostic assays, it is necessary to choose a compromise quality factor, to exploit the features arising from the electromagnetic field enhancement while avoiding reabsorption.

We report on the detection of an angiogenic molecule Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in different biological matrices by means of a new integrated biosensing platform exploiting the properties of Bloch surface waves. The new platform takes advantage of a tandem configuration, in which both label-free and enhanced fluorescence detection are implemented. Specifically designed one dimensional photonic crystals were deposited directly on disposable and low cost plastic biochips. A direct sandwich immunoassay was used to detect VEGF in buffer, cell culture supernatant and human plasma at low concentration (ng/mL). The platform enabled the detection of VEGF in all three matrices with high resolution, fast turnaround time (30 min) and in close agreement with the results of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.

Novel disposable optical biochips based on one-dimensional photonic crystals (1DPC) sustaining Bloch surface waves (BSW) are a desirable tool for the detection of several disease-related biomarkers. In particular, cancer biomarkers have gained considerable attention, due to the increasing demand for cancer treatment. Within this framework, the herein proposed optical biochips can quantify low concentration (sub ng/mL) of the ERBB2 breast cancer biomarker in biological complex matrices. To discriminate ERBB2 levels in several different cell lysate samples, we made use of a biosensing platform based on 1DPC biochips and on a reading instrument that can work in both a label-free and a fluorescence detection mode. Such combined configuration provides the advantage of complementary information and lower limit of detection (LoD) in the fluorescence mode [1]. In the label-free configuration the BSW excitation is achieved by a prism coupling system (Kretschmann-Raether configuration), like in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique, resulting in a dip in the angular reflectance spectrum, shifting its position due to the refractive index changes [2]. The fluorescence mode is carried out by making use of dye labeled antibodies bound at the 1DPC surface. Coupling between the dye labels and a BSW results in strongly directional fluorescence emission. The advantages brought by the 1DPC, when compared to metal structures, are smaller energy dissipation and narrower resonances [3].

The increasing need for early cancer diagnosis has focused research efforts on new screening technologies such as those based on cancer biomarkers. Herein, we propose disposable optical biochips based on one-dimensional photonic crystals (1DPC) sustaining Bloch surface waves (BSW) for detection of breast cancer biomarkers. Such biochips can quantify low concentrations (sub ng/mL) of the ERBB2 breast cancer biomarker in biological complex matrices. To demonstrate the presence of ERBB2 in cell lysate samples, we made use of a biosensing platform based on the 1DPC biochips working in both label-free and fluorescence detection modes. However, in the fluorescence detection mode, the measurements could be affected by photobleaching, which cannot be neglected, especially when an accurate quantification is needed.

Sensors using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are established as the method of choice in label-free optical biosensing. Their sensitivity for small refractive index changes at the surface originates from the enhanced evanescent field at the surface of a thin metal layer. However, the small number of well-suited metals (Ag, Au) with fixed optical constants limits a further refinement of the SPR performance in terms of dispersion and resonance width. An alternative can be found in Bloch Surface Waves (BSW) sustained at specially designed dielectric multilayer stacks with low absorption losses. Due to the low losses an enormous narrowing of the resonance is obtained, promising the reduction of the detection limit for such a label-free sensor. In order to deposit these multilayers on plastic sensor chips, plasma ion assisted vacuum evaporation (PIAD) was applied as deposition method. SiO 2 , TiO 2 , and Ta 2 O 5 single layer properties were balanced in terms of absorption losses, stability in aqueous environment and film stress. Dielectric multilayer stacks could be designed in a way, that resonance performance is optimal and the total stack thickness as low as possible. Optimized Bloch stacks were successfully coated on a large number of polymer chips. The application could be demonstrated by the detection of cancer biomarkers using an analytical instrument that was developed with the BSW chips as core element.

We report on the development of a biosensing platform that combines label-free and fluorescence based detection on disposable Bloch surface wave biochips. This system is applied to the detection of the HER2-neu/ErbB2 clinical biomarker related to breast cancer development. We first describe the design and fabrication of the BSW biochips as well as the principle of operation of the optical reading instrument. Then, the approaches for surface functionalization and immobilization of proteins for specific detection on the biochips are discussed. Finally, experimental results on a sandwich immunoassay for ErbB2 detection in cell lysates are presented.

Understanding how a fluid flows at the boundaries when it is confined at the microscale/nanoscale is crucial for a broad range of engineering and biology applications. We propose an experimental technique based on Bloch surface waves sustained by a one-dimensional photonic crystal to evaluate the speed of the contact line, i.e., the triple junction separating three phases, in the low Reynold's number regime, and with a nanometric resolution. Here, we report on the experimental characterization of the translatory motion of the contact line that separates two water solutions with a relatively high refractive index mismatch (7.35×10−3) and its slipping over a solid surface. The advantages are the relative simplicity and economy of the experimental configuration.

The combination of fiber-optic–based platforms for biosensing with nanotechnologies is opening up the chance for the development of in situ, portable, lightweight, versatile, reliable and high-performance optical sensing devices. The route consists of the generation of lossy mode resonances (LMRs) by means of the deposition of nm-thick absorbing metaloxide films on special geometric-modified fibers. This allows measuring precisely and accurately the changes in surface refractive index due to the binding interaction between a biological recognition element and the analyte, with very high sensitivity compared to other optical technology platforms, such as fiber gratings or surface plasmon resonance. The proposed methodology, mixed with the use of specialty fiber structures such as D-shaped fibers, allows improving the light-matter interaction in a strong way. The shift of the LMR has been used to monitor in real-time the biomolecule interactions thanks to a conventional wavelength-interrogation system and an ad-hoc developed microfluidics. A big leap in performance has been attained by detecting femtomolar concentrations in real samples of human serum. The biosensor regeneration has been also studied by using a solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), proving the device reusability. Therefore, this technology possibly represents a paradigm shift in the development of a simple, high-specificity and label-free biosensing platform, which can be applied to speed up diagnostic healthcare processes of different diseases toward an early diagnostic and personalized treatment system.

Photonic crystal (PC)-enhanced fluorescence has been proposed as a novel tool for early disease detection in liquid biopsy. Photobleaching of the emitters has never been deeply investigated, although its cross section is expected to increase because of the large field intensity enhancement in PC. Herein, we report on the experimental investigation of the anisotropic effects arising when fluorescence excitation and emission are coupled to differently polarized modes of the same PC structure. In particular, we experimentally characterized the anisotropic photobleaching taking place during the operation of one-dimensional PC (1DPC) biosensors sustaining Bloch surface waves (BSW) at their truncation edge. The experimental results are compared to the description provided by our theoretical model reported in a twin article. We demonstrate experimentally that photobleaching affects the response of a cancer biomarkers' detection assay and propose a procedure to compensate for it. Moreover, we describe the experimental use of BSW-coupled fluorescence and of the strong localization of the BSW at the 1DPC surface to selectively probe the rotational diffusion kinetics of proteins bound at the 1DPC surface with high spatial resolution and for different binding strengths.

Laser induced cavitation is one of the effective techniques to generate controlled cavitation bubbles, both for basic study and for applications in different fields of engineering and medicine. Unfortunately, control of bubble formation and symmetry is hardly achieved due to a series of concurrent causes. In particular, the need to focus the laser beam at the bubble formation spot leads, in general, to a conical region proximal to the light source where conditions are met for plasma breakdown. A finite sized region then exists where the electric field may fluctuate depending on several disturbing agents, leading to possible plasma fragmentation and plasma intensity variation. Such irregularities may induce asymmetry in the successive bubble dynamics, a mostly undesired effect if reproducible conditions are sought for. In the present paper, the structure of the breakdown plasma and the ensuing bubble dynamics are analyzed by means of high speed imaging and intensity measurements of the shockwave system launched at breakdown. It is found that the parameters of the system can be tuned to optimize repeatability and sphericity. In particular, symmetric rebound dynamics is achieved almost deterministically when a pointlike plasma is generated at the breakdown threshold energy. Spherical symmetry is also favored by a large focusing angle combined with a relatively large pulse energy, a process which, however, retains a significant level of stochasticity. Outside these special conditions, the elongated and often fragmented conical plasma shape is found to be correlated with anisotropic and multiple breakdown shockwave emission.

We report on the measurement of the pressure associated with a shock wave within a very thin layer (100 nm) in proximity of a boundary surface. In the experiments, the shock wave was emitted by a cavitation bubble generated by a pulsed pump laser in water. We developed a pump-probe setup based on the detection of the light scattered at the surface of a one-dimensional photonic crystal, which was purposely designed to sustain a surface electromagnetic wave in the visible range and to enhance the optical response. In order to better understand the phenomenon, we implemented numerical simulations to describe the light scattering intensity distributions through a modified Rayleigh's method. We report, with a LoD of ∼0.1 MPa, the measurements of the pressure at a surface in the presence of a laser-induced cavitation bubble generated at different distances from the surface and for different pulse energies.

Photonic crystal (PC) enhanced fluorescence has been proposed as a novel tool for early disease detection in a liquid biopsy format. However, photobleaching of the emitters has never been deeply investigated, although its cross section is expected to increase due to the large field intensity enhancement. Herein, we report on a comprehensive theoretical description of the stationary fluorescence emission of molecular emitters bound to the surface of a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) biosensor. The model considers coupling of the emission to the large local density of the states provided by the 1DPC, in particular to the Bloch surface waves, which can be characterized by different polarization states. The rotational diffusion equation in the presence of photobleaching was solved analytically by a Laplace spherical harmonics analytical approach. The results show that photobleaching can severely affect the fluorescence emission in terms of total intensity and polarization composition, suggesting that ...

An integrated biosensing platform exploiting the properties of Bloch surface waves on all-dielectric thin film stacks is described. It combines label-free sensing based on angular resonance tracking with surface wave enhanced fluorescence excitation and detection. Detailed design considerations reveal a system with defined attenuation to improve resolution limits in both modes.

We describe the design and fabrication of biochips based on 1-D photonic crystals supporting Bloch surface waves for label-free optical biosensing. The optical properties of Bloch surface waves are studied in relation to the geometry of the photonic crystals and on the properties of the dielectric materials used for the fabrication. The planar stacks of the biochips are composed of silica, tantala, and titania that were deposited using plasma-ion-assisted evaporation under high-vacuum conditions. The biochip surfaces were functionalized by silanization, and appropriate fluidic cells were designed to operate in an automated platform. An angularly resolved ellipsometric optical sensing apparatus was assembled to carry out the sensing studies. The angular operation is obtained by a focused laser beam at a fixed wavelength and detection of the angular reflectance spectrum by means of an array detector. The results of the experimental characterization of the physical properties of the fabricated biochips show that their characteristics, in terms of sensitivity and figure of merit, match those expected from the numerical simulations. Practical application of the sensor was demonstrated by detecting a specific glycoprotein, Angio-poietin 2, that is involved in angiogenesis and inflammation processes. The protocol used for the label-free detection of Angiopoietin 2 is described, and the results of an exemplary assay, carried out at a relatively high concentration of 1 µg/ml, are given and confirm that an efficient detection can be achieved. The limit of detection of the biochips for Angiopoietin 2, based on the protocol used, is 1.5 pg/mm2 in buffer solution. The efficiency of the label-free assay is confirmed by independent measurements carried out by means of confocal fluorescence microscopy.

We describe the design and fabrication of biochips based on one dimensional photonic crystals supporting Bloch surface waves for label-free optical biosensing. The planar stacks of the biochips are composed of silica, tantala and titania that were deposited using plasma ion assisted evaporation under high vacuum conditions. The biochip surfaces were functionalized by silanization and appropriate fluidic cells were designed to operate in an automated platform. An angularly resolved optical sensing apparatus was assembled to carry out the sensing studies. The angular operation is obtained by a focused laser beam at a fixed wavelength and detection of the angular reflectance spectrum by means of an array detector. Practical application of the sensor was demonstrated by detecting a specific glycoprotein, Angiopoietin 2, that is involved in angiogenesis and inflammation processes. The protocol used for the label-free detection of Angiopoietin 2 is described and the results of an exemplary assay are given, confirming that an efficient detection can be achieved.

Optical biosensors based on one-dimensional photonic crystals sustaining Bloch surface waves are proposed to study antibody interactions and perform affinity studies. The presented approach utilizes two types of different antibodies anchored at the sensitive area of a photonic crystal-based biosensor. Such a strategy allows for creating two or more on-chip regions with different biochemical features as well as studying the binding kinetics of biomolecules in real time. In particular, the proposed detection system shows an estimated limit of detection for the target antibody (anti-human IgG) smaller than 0.19 nM (28 ng/mL), corresponding to a minimum surface mass coverage of 10.3 ng/cm2. Moreover, from the binding curves we successfully derived the equilibrium association and dissociation constants (KA = 7.5 &times, 107 M&minus, 1, KD = 13.26 nM) of the human IgG&ndash, anti-human IgG interaction.

A combined label-free and fluorescence surface optical technique was used to quantify the mass deposited in binary biomolecular coatings. These coatings were constituted by fibronectin (FN), to stimulate endothelialization, and phosphorylcholine (PRC), for its hemocompatibility, which are two properties of relevance for cardiovascular applications. One-dimensional photonic crystals sustaining a Bloch surface wave were used to characterize different FN/PRC coatings deposited by a combination of adsorption and grafting processes. In particular, the label-free results permitted to quantitatively assess the mass deposited in FN adsorbed (185 ng/cm2) and grafted (160 ng/cm2). PRC binding to grafted FN coatings was also quantified, showing a coverage as low as 10 and 12 ng/cm2 for adsorbed and grafted PRC, respectively. Moreover, desorption of FN deposited by adsorption was detected and quantified upon the addition of PRC. The data obtained by the surface optical technique were complemented by water contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The results were in accordance with those obtained previously by qualitative and semiquantitative techniques (XPS, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) on several substrates (PTFE and stainless steel), confirming that grafted FN coatings show higher stability than those obtained by FN adsorption.

We report on hybrid inorganic/organic one-dimensional photonic crystal biochips sustaining Bloch surface waves. The biochips were used, together with an optical platform operating in a label-free and fluorescence configuration simultaneously, to detect the cancer biomarker Angiopoietin 2 in a protein base buffer. The hybrid photonic crystals embed in their geometry a thin functionalization poly-acrylic acid layer deposited by plasma polymerization, which is used to immobilize a monoclonal antibody for highly specific biological recognition. The fluorescence operation mode is described in detail, putting into evidence the role of field enhancement and localization at the photonic crystal surface in the shaping and intensification of the angular fluorescence pattern. In the fluorescence operation mode, the hybrid biochips can attain the limit of detection 6 ng/ml.

A biosensor platform based on Bloch Surface Waves and operating in angular interrogation mode is applied to the detection of a clinical biomarker (HER2-neu/ERBB2) related to breast cancer initiation/progression. Preparing regions for specific recognition of different proteins as well as a reference on the biochip enables to correct the signal for nonspecific effects. Additionally, label-free analysis and surface wave enhanced fluorescence detection can be applied and compared directly on the platform. Cell lysates with high and low expression levels of ERBB2 are analyzed. Comparing the signals of such ERBB2 positive and negative samples estimates the limit of detection at 1.7 ng/mL. This is well below the threshold of 15 ng/mL set by the FDA for clinically useful ERBB2 detection in human serum, demonstrating that 1DPC-based biochips are attractive candidates for breast cancer detection/monitoring.

We report on the use of an optical sensing platform based on Bloch surface waves sustained by one-dimensional photonic crystals as a novel optical tool to probe in real time the fluid flow at a boundary wall of a microfluidic channel under dynamic conditions. Understanding how fluid flow interacts with wall surfaces is crucial for a broad range of biological processes and engineering applications, such as surface wave biosensing. The proposed platform provides nanometric resolution with respect to the distance from the boundary wall sensor's surface. Here, for the first time, we report on the experimental investigation on the temporal evolution of the interface between two fluids with different refractive indices under convective and diffusive conditions. The temporal evolution of the fluids interface in proximity of the wall is recovered. From the data analysis, the diffusion coefficients of glucose and glycerol in water are measured and found in good agreement with the literature. Tuning the one-dimensional photonic crystals geometry and the Bloch surface wave's dispersion has the potential to probe the fluid flow in an extremely wide range of distances from the microfluidic channel wall.

We report on the use of one-dimensional photonic crystals to detect clinically relevant concentrations of the cancer biomarker ERBB2 in cell lysates. Overexpression of the ERBB2 protein is associated with aggressive breast cancer subtypes. To detect soluble ERBB2, we developed an optical set-up which operates in both label-free and fluorescence modes. The detection approach makes use of a sandwich assay, in which the one-dimensional photonic crystals sustaining Bloch surface waves are modified with monoclonal antibodies, in order to guarantee high specificity during the biological recognition. We present the results of exemplary protein G based label-free assays in complex biological matrices, reaching an estimated limit of detection of 0.5 ng/mL. On-chip and chip-to-chip variability of the results is addressed too, providing repeatability rates. Moreover, results on fluorescence operation demonstrate the capability to perform high sensitive cancer biomarker assays reaching a resolution of 0.6 ng/mL, without protein G assistance. The resolution obtained in both modes meets international guidelines and recommendations (15 ng/mL) for ERBB2 quantification assays, providing an alternative tool to phenotype and diagnose molecular cancer subtypes.

We report on the fabrication and physical characterization of optical biosensors implementing simultaneous label-free and fluorescence detection and taking advantage of the excitation of Bloch surface waves at a photonic crystal's truncation interface. Two types of purposely designed one-dimensional photonic crystals on molded organic substrates with micro-optics were fabricated. These crystals feature either high or low finesse of the Bloch surface wave resonances and were tested on the same optical readout system. The experimental results show that designing biochips with a large resonance quality factor does not necessarily lead in the real case to an improvement of the biosensor performance. The conditions for optimal biochip design and operation of the complete bio-sensing platform are established.

We report on the use of one-dimensional photonic crystals to detect clinically relevant concentrations of ERBB2/neu/Her2 in cell lysates. ERBB2 is a pivotal breast cancer biomarker and targetable oncogenic driver associated with aggressive breast cancer subtypes. To quantitate soluble ERBB2, we developed an optical platform that combines label-free and fluorescence detection modes. Such platform makes use of a sandwich assay in which the one-dimensional photonic crystals sustaining Bloch surface waves are tailored with a monoclonal antibody for highly specific biological recognition (BSW biochip). In a second step, a second antibody to ERBB2 quantitatively detects the bound analyte. The strategy of the present approach takes advantage of the combination of label-free and fluorescence techniques, making bio-recognition more robust and sensitive. In the fluorescence operation mode, the platform can attain the limit of detection 0.3 ng/mL (1.5 pM) for ERBB2 in cell lysates. Such resolution meets the international guidelines and recommendations (15 ng/mL) for diagnostic ERBB2 assays that in the future may help to more precisely assign therapies counteracting cancer cell proliferation and metastatic spread.

A one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) based on a planar stack of dielectric layers is used as an optical transducer for biosensing, upon the coupling of TE-polarized Bloch Surface Waves (BSW). The structure is tailored with a polymeric layer providing a chemical functionality facilitating the covalent binding of orienting proteins needed for a subsequent grafting of antibodies in an immunoassay detection scheme. The polymeric layer is impregnated with Cy3 dye, in such a way that the photonic structure can exhibit an emissive behavior. The BSW-coupled fluorescence shift is used as a means for detecting refractive index variations occurring at the 1DPC surface, according to a label-free concept. The proposed working principle is successfully demonstrated in real-time tracking of protein G covalent binding on the 1DPC surface within a fluidic cell.

Results on an optical waveguide filter operating in the near IR region are reported. The device consists of a hybrid sol-gel -based grating loaded waveguide, obtained through the merging of conventional photolithography and UV-nanoimprinting. Starting from submicrometric gratings, fabricated by electron beam lithography, a soft mould has been produced and the original structures were replicated onto sol-gel photosensitive films. A final photolithographic step allowed the production of grating-loaded channel waveguides. The devices were optically characterized by transmission measurements in the telecom range 1450–1590 nm. The filter extinction ratio is −11 dB and the bandwidth is 1.7 nm.

n this work we report on the characterisation of multimode rectangular ridge waveguides fabricated by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition and anisotropic etching using different cores, consisting of hydrogenated amorphous silicon and amorphous silicon nitride. The propagation losses have been measured at several wavelengths by an end-fire coupling set-up and compared to intrinsic absorption of the core materials. Two-dimensional photonic crystal structures have been carved onto the channel waveguides by Focused Ion Beam lithography demonstrating the possibility to fabricate complex optical elements merging the consolidated amorphous silicon growth technology with ion-beam nanomachining

We perform a near-field mapping of Bloch Surface Waves excited at the truncation interface of a planar silicon nitride multilayer. We directly determine the field distribution of Bloch Surface Waves along the propagation direction and normally to the surface. Furthermore, we present a direct measurement of a near-field enhancement effect under particular coupling conditions. Experimental evidence demonstrates that a ∼ 102 near-field intensity enhancement can be realistically attained, thus confirming predictions from rigorous calculations. © 2008 Optical Society of America.

For high quality optical coatings the knowledge of the losses of the deposited materials is essential. A precise measurement of low Im(n+iκ)≤ 10-6 at an intended operation wavelength and with low intensity can be achieved in waveguide configurations, whereby leaky waveguide configurations allow one to analyze losses of high- and low-index media of H-L-stacks as well due to resonances in the angle-dependent reflection curve. Numerical investigations reveal that different leaky wave schemes, e.g. Bragg-, Bloch- and Antiresonant-Reflecting waveguides, comply differently with practical requests. Loss figure evaluation requires peculiar attention due to measurement accuracy and ambiguities, thus suitable constraints for layer data and a proper merit-function construction have to be used.

This work reports the first results of a study on the pressure and velocity fields generated by a laser- induced cavitation bubble. Although extensively studied (Lauterborn & Vogel, Shockwaves 2013), the initial stages of the energy driven formation of the bubble, as well as the collapse phase, require a deeper investigation. The same lack of understanding applies to the collapse instants. In order to address these two extremes of the bubble life, a test chamber was designed to investigate the effect of laser energy and of static pressure. Two configurations are investigated, free bubble and bubble/wall interaction. The set-up consists of a stainless steel chamber (120x120x120 mm 3 ), equipped with quartz windows for optical access and designed to be pressurized (10 bar maximum). The laser source is a Nd:YAG pulsed laser (Litron NanoPIV), with a pulse duration of 6 ns and a maximum energy of 30 mJ per pulse. The beam is expanded, collimated and focused using a parabolic mirror immersed in high- ohmic water. This design reduces optical aberrations and forms a highly symmetric bubble (Obreschkow et al, Exp Fluids 2013). A measurement of the input energy is also performed, and a LED bulb provides background illumination for high-speed shadow-imaging (Photron Mini UX100 camera). The pressure induced by the shock wave at energy release and at collapse, is measured through two approaches. The first one uses a specifically designed fiber optic hydrophone for a local pressure measurement, by detection of the change in refractive index of the water due to pressure gradients. The second method is based on interferometry and gives a global pressure measurement across the volume. Finally, the fluid velocity in the bubble near field is performed with micro-PIV, using 4.5 ?m fluorescent polystyrene particles as tracers. The figure represents the bubble sequence at 54.000 fps. The maximum radius is about 800 ?m for a collapse time of 74 ?s. The 125-?m fiber sensor is also shown next to the cavitation bubble.

The increasing demand for early detection of diseases drives the efforts to develop more and more sensitive techniques to detect biomarkers in extremely low concentrations. Electromagnetic modes at the surface of one dimensional photonic crystals, usually called Bloch surface waves, were demonstrated to enhance the resolution and constitute an attractive alternative to surface plasmon polariton optical biosensors. We report on the development of Bloch surface wave biochips operating in both label-free and fluorescence modes and demonstrate their use in ovalbumin recognition assays.

Vertical and transverse confinement of electromagnetic radiation in planar organic light emitting diodes (OLED) has been widely addressed in order to maximize their external quantum efficiency. Here we propose a planar micro-cavity OLED with the aim to tailor the angular emission pattern and obtain light emission suppression in the vertical direction. Vertical confinement was obtained by depositing a conventional molecular OLED on a glass substrate coated with a thin gold semitransparent layer and a silica spacer. The conventional OLED was obtained by depositing under vacuum an indium tin oxide hole-injection layer, an organic hetero-junction constituted by N , N -diphenyl- N , N -bis(3-methyl phenyl)-1,1-biphenyl-4,4-diamine (TPD) and tris(8-hydroxy-quinoline)-aluminium (Alq 3 ) layers and a LiF/Al electron-injection layer. Performance of the micro-cavity OLEDs was characterized by measuring the current/voltage characteristics and the angular dependence of the brightness and emission spectrum. The results were compared to those obtained for reference conventional OLEDs, without vertical confinement. Suppression of the green emission in the vertical direction was observed, confirming what was expected by calculations of dipole emission in a micro-cavity structure.

Second harmonic generation coefficients of GaN and AlxGa1–xN (x=0.08) thin films deposited by MOCVD on a sapphire 0001 substrate were deduced through the standard Maker fringes method. Measurements were performed at λ=1064 nm using a Nd:YAG Q-Switched laser. The measured ratio between the d33 and d31 coefficients allowed one to retrieve information on the degree of crystallinity of the thin film samples that was found to be higher in thicker films. The presence of tiny oscillations in the SHG detected signal as a function of the incidence angle of the fundamental beam on the samples is discussed and related to the reflectance at the sample-air interfaces. Finally, nonlinear coefficients for three AlxGa1–xN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) samples (x=0.08 and x=0.15) were determined and compared to the values obtained for GaN crystalline thin films.

Polarization sensitive electroreflectance was used to study a typical hybrid photoconducting polymer–liquid crystal (LC) structure. Similar structures serve as optically addressed liquid crystalline spatial light modulators in real-time holography. It was shown that this technique might be used for the evaluation of internal electric-field changes in the vicinity of LC layer due to light-induced photogeneration and transport of charge carriers in the photoconducting polymer layer. A simplified theory presented in this work clarifies the experimental technique and the obtained results for the planar nematic LC panel. Employing the formalism of nonlinear optics for a particular type of LC (seven-component nematic mixture), we measured that the low-frequency (Ω/2π=1680 Hz) main component of a cubic optical susceptibility tensor χijkl(3)(−ω;0,Ω,ω) along the director direction is χa(3)=(7.4±1.5)×10−16 m2/V2.

Quantitative detection of angiogenic biomarkers provides a powerful tool to diagnose cancers in early stages and to follow its progression during therapy. Conventional tests require trained personnel, dedicated laboratory equipment and are generally time-consuming. Herein, we propose our developed biosensing platform as a useful tool for a rapid determination of Angiopoietin-2 biomarker directly from patient plasma within 30 minutes, without any sample preparation or dilution. Bloch surface waves supported by one dimensional photonic crystal are exploited to enhance and redirect the fluorescence arising from a sandwich immunoassay that involves Angiopoietin-2. The sensing units consist of disposable and low-cost plastic biochips coated with the photonic crystal. The biosensing platform is demonstrated to detect Angiopoietin-2 in plasma samples at the clinically relevant concentration of 6 ng/mL, with an estimated limit of detection of approximately 1 ng/mL. This is the first Bloch surface wave based assay capable of detecting relevant concentrations of an angiogenic factor in plasma samples. The results obtained by the developed biosensing platform are in close agreement with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, demonstrating a good accuracy, and their repeatability showed acceptable relative variations.

In label-free biosensing, a continuous improvement of the limit of detection is necessary to resolve the small change of the surface refractive index produced by interacting biomolecules at a very small concentration. In the present work, optical sensors based on one-dimensional photonic crystals supporting Bloch surface waves are proposed and adopted for label-free optical biosensing. We describe the implementation of an angularly resolved ellipsometric optical sensing scheme based on Bloch surface waves sustained by tantala/silica multilayers. The angular operation is obtained using a focused beam at fixed wavelength and detection of the angular reflectance spectrum by means of an array detector. The results show that the experimental limit of detection for a particular photonic crystal design is 6.5 × 10(-7) refractive index units (RIU)/Hz(1/2) and further decrease could be obtained. For the first time, we report on the practical application of this technique to a cancer biomarker protocol that aims at the detection of a specific glycoprotein (angiopoietin 2) involved in angiogenesis and inflammation processes.

Bloch surface waves (BSW) propagating at the boundary of truncated photonic crystals (1D-PC) have emerged as an attractive approach for label-free sensing in plasmon-like sensor configurations. Due to the very low losses in such dielectric thin film stacks, BSW feature very low angular resonance widths compared to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) case. Besides label-free operation, the large field enhancement and the absence of quenching allow utilizing BSW coupled fluorescence detection to additionally sense the presence of fluorescent labels. This approach can be adapted to the case of angularly resolved resonance detection, thus giving rise to a combined label-free / labelled biosensor platform. It features a parallel analysis of multiple spots arranged as a one-dimensional array inside a microfluidic channel of a disposable chip. Application of such a combined biosensing approach to the detection of the Angiopoietin-2 cancer biomarker in buffer solutions is reported.

We used a single wavelength electro-optical reflection technique to study the creation of space charge distributions in a polymer light emitting diode, by monitoring the real third order nonlinear optical response of the electroluminescent layer. The diode is based on an aluminum/polymer/indium tin oxide stack, where the polymer is a derivative of poly(p-phenylene-vinylene) in which oxidiazole groups were grafted as side chains. The measured signal is strongly influenced by a space charge distribution and by screening in the organic layer. The space charge distribution is the superposition of a long lived contribution, close to indium tin oxide, due to charges trapped in deep levels, and of that of relatively mobile charges injected in the polymer film. In the frame of a model which takes into account Debye–Huckel screening, with screening length equal to 100 nm we estimated the carrier density of the long lived charge distribution to be 4.8×1023 m−3, for a uniform distribution in a 110-nm-thick layer. Th...