title: Label-free detection with high-Q microcavities: a review of biosensing mechanisms for integrated devices.
abstract: Optical microcavities that confine light in high-Q resonance promise all of the capabilities required for a successful next-generation microsystem biodetection technology. Label-free detection down to single molecules as well as operation in aqueous environments can be integrated cost-effectively on microchips, together with other photonic components, as well as electronic ones. We provide a comprehensive review of the sensing mechanisms utilized in this emerging field, their physics, engineering and material science aspects, and their application to nanoparticle analysis and biomolecular detection. We survey the most recent developments such as the use of mode splitting for self-referenced measurements, plasmonic nanoantennas for signal enhancements, the use of optical force for nanoparticle manipulation as well as the design of active devices for ultra-sensitive detection. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on the exciting capabilities of functionalized high-Q microcavities in the life sciences.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Biosensing, G. Scharowsky Str. 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.affiliation: Electrical and Systems Engineering Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: biosensing; integrated photonics; microlasers; nanoparticle detection; optical microcavities; optical resonator; optical trapping; plasmonics