A Manufacturing Technology for Biosensing

Abstract

There is a current emphasis on sensors for environmental monitoring and biological applications, as reflected in the scientific literature. In particular, optical waveguides as evanescent wave sensors are sensitive analytic probes giving direct information about surface binding reactions. Miniaturised, integrated sensors offer benefits for real-time monitoring at low cost. However, there is still a gap to be bridged between research activity and the commercial exploitation of biosensors in terms of the manufacture and cost of sensing devices. Bookham Technology Ltd. have developed a process for the production of Active Silicon integrated Optical Circuits, ASOC^TM, which is based upon techniques commonly employed in the semi-conductor industry to provide a cost-effective, high-volume manufacturing solution. With sources and detectors integrated with optical waveguide interferometers, ASOC^TM has the potential to provide a multiple analysis system on a single chip.