title: Polarimetric total internal reflection biosensing.
abstract: In this paper, a concept of polarimetric total internal reflection (TIR) biosensor based on the method of temporal phase modulation is presented. Measurements of the phase difference between s- and p- polarized light combined with their amplitudes allow simultaneous detection of the bulk refractive index and thickness of the surface biofilms. Obtained experimental sensitivity is better than 10(-5) in terms of refractive index unit and 0.5 nm in biolayer thickness. Relatively simple technological implementation of the TIR sensors on the base of inexpensive and transparent substrates opens a number of novel applications in biosensing and microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Laser processing and Plasmonics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Physics, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maisonneuve
authors.forename: In-Hyouk
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Sergiy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patskovsky
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meunier
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors