TEACHER
Date:29 July (Friday)
Time: 15:40 – 18:00 (GMT+8)
Imec Fellow
imec
Shrinking optical & electrical components for smart biosensor and sequencing equipment
Reading of DNA, RNA or protein sequences, and detection of a broad range of target molecules often relies on optical-based techniques such as absorbance or fluorescence. Whereas large and bulky equipment was needed in the past, now it is possible to perform these techniques with miniaturized versions of optical components, such as lasers, waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, filters or ring resonators.
Because of their small size and compatibility with semiconductor processes, these photonic components can be integrated with microfluidics and processing chips in complete sequencing solutions. Other advantages are: no mechanical parts or bulky optics required; improved sensitivity and robustness (no alignment or calibration needed); low cost at mass-scale production; low power consumption. Similarly, electronic devices now have approached the scale of relevant biomolecules. In this presentation we will review the capabilities of photonics & nanoelectronics for future diagnostic and “omic” solutions.