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Review
. 2023 May 22;13(5):568.
doi: 10.3390/bios13050568.

A Review on Photonic Sensing Technologies: Status and Outlook

Muhammad A Butt  1 , Nikolay L Kazanskiy  1   2 , Svetlana N Khonina  1   2 , Grigory S Voronkov  3 , Elizaveta P Grakhova  3 , Ruslan V Kutluyarov  3
Affiliations
Review

A Review on Photonic Sensing Technologies: Status and Outlook

Muhammad A Butt et al. Biosensors (Basel). .

Abstract

In contemporary science and technology, photonic sensors are essential. They may be made to be extremely resistant to some physical parameters while also being extremely sensitive to other physical variables. Most photonic sensors may be incorporated on chips and operate with CMOS technology, making them suitable for use as extremely sensitive, compact, and affordable sensors. Photonic sensors can detect electromagnetic (EM) wave changes and convert them into an electric signal due to the photoelectric effect. Depending on the requirements, scientists have found ways to develop photonic sensors based on several interesting platforms. In this work, we extensively review the most generally utilized photonic sensors for detecting vital environmental parameters and personal health care. These sensing systems include optical waveguides, optical fibers, plasmonics, metasurfaces, and photonic crystals. Various aspects of light are used to investigate the transmission or reflection spectra of photonic sensors. In general, resonant cavity or grating-based sensor configurations that work on wavelength interrogation methods are preferred, so these sensor types are mostly presented. We believe that this paper will provide insight into the novel types of available photonic sensors.

Keywords: metasurface; optic fiber; optical waveguide; photonic crystal; photonic sensor; plasmonics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The photonic sensing technologies based on (a) optical WG [28], (b) OF [29], (c) MS [30], (d) PC [31], and (e) plasmonics [32] discussed in this paper.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A WG evanescent field sensor is shown the an image. At the WG surface, receptor molecules catch molecular targets, modifying the WG mode effective index. As a result, the propagating optical mode is thus phase-shifted.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Experimental setup to characterize the sensing device, (b) ring resonator device, (c) a standard output spectrum of a porous ring resonator. Adapted with permission from [28].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Widely utilized SOI WG structures for optical biosensing.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Snapshot of the CO2 volume percentage in the gas chamber rising [92], (b) when the CO2 percentage in the gas chamber is over the threshold, the warning light turns on, and the output signal changes from “safe” to “dangerous” [92], (c) Image of the gas chamber with the CO2 conc. reduced [92], (d) when the CO2 conc. in the gas compartment is below the threshold, the warning light turns off, and the signal that was previously outputted as “dangerous” changes to “safe” [92].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Synopsis of PCF expansion.
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) H-shaped PCF-SPR sensor schematic diagram [122], (b) SPR sensor in cross-section [122], (c) experimental SPR sensor configuration for detecting RI [122].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Schematic of PC formation, (a) 1D, (b) 2D, (c) 3D.
Figure 9
Figure 9
PC sensing devices, (a) SEM image of the PC resonator [169], (b) E-field distribution within the cavity [169], (c) 3D representation of an integrated optofluidic device [169], (d,e) electron micrograph images of the two PC sensor geometries, (f–h) E-field distribution at the resonant frequency of the optical mode [170], (i) SEM image of the fabricated sensing device and the graphic of the experimental setup [171].
Figure 10
Figure 10
PC fluid sensor, (a) SEM image of the cross-sectional view of the PC structure [31], (b) SEM image of the top view of the PC structure [31], (c) numerical model of the sensing device [31], (d) transmission spectrum [31].
Figure 11
Figure 11
MS absorber designs, (a) HMSPA design [186], (b) T/R/A spectrum [186], (c) top view of the norm. E-field distribution [186], (d) 3D E-field distribution [186]. Cross-sectional view of the norm, (e) E-field distribution at the resonant wavelength [186], (f) E-field distribution at non-resonant wavelength [186], (g) H-field distribution at resonant wavelength [186], (h) graphical illustration of the tunable optical plasmonic Gr MS [187], (i) top view of the unit cell [187], (j) transmission spectrum [187], (k) E-field mapping at the dip for the bright mode [187], (l) E-field mapping at the peak for plasmonic-induced transparency [187], (m) theoretical coupled model [187].
Figure 12
Figure 12
Applications of SPR sensors in telemedicine [212], medical diagnostic [213], early disease detection [214], colorimetric sensors [215], food safety, temperature sensors, and bioimaging [216].
Figure 13
Figure 13
Graphic illustration (top view) of plasmonic sensors established on MIM WG, (a) RR linked to a MIM WG with tapered defects [227], (b) two triangle stubs paired with a split-ring nanocavity [228], (c) two stubs and a RR [229], (d) two baffles and a coupled ring cavity [230]. Thermal sensing devices, (e) ethanol-sealed asymmetric ellipse resonators [232], (f) ethanol-filled resonator cavity [234], (g) dual laterally side-coupled hexagonal cavities [235], (h) simultaneous temperature sensor and biosensor [231].
Figure 14
Figure 14
Modified plasmonic BG structure, (a) sensor design [236], (b) transmission spectrum [236], (c) S analysis [236].
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Grants and funding

The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the state assignment for UUST (theme code #FEUE-2021-0013, agreement No. 075-03-2023-119) and conducted in the research laboratory “Sensor systems based on integrated photonics devices” of the Eurasian Scientific and Educational Center. Also the part of this work was performed within the State assignment of Federal Scientific Research Center “Crystallography and Photonics” of Russian Academy of Sciences.

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