Ultra-sensitive terahertz metamaterials biosensor based on luxuriant gaps structure

KangLong Chen; Cunjun Ruan; Fangyuan Zhan; Xiaoyu Song; Ayesha Kosar Fahad; Tianyao Zhang; Wei Shi

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.105781

Ultra-sensitive terahertz metamaterials biosensor based on luxuriant gaps structure

iScience. 2022 Dec 9;26(1):105781. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105781. eCollection 2023 Jan 20.

Authors

KangLong Chen¹, Cunjun Ruan^{1

2}, Fangyuan Zhan³, Xiaoyu Song⁴, Ayesha Kosar Fahad¹, Tianyao Zhang⁵, Wei Shi⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory for Microwave Sensing and Security Applications, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
³ Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nano Devices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
⁴ School of Engineering Medicine and School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
⁵ Beijing Engineering Research Center of Industrial Spectrum Imaging, School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.

Abstract

Fast, simple, and label-free detections and distinctions are desirable in cell biology analysis and diagnosis. Here, a biosensor based on terahertz metamaterial has luxuriant gaps, which can excite dipole resonance is designed. Filling the gaps with various analytes can change the biosensor's capacitance resulting in electromagnetic properties changing. The idea is verified by simulations and experiments. The theoretical sensitivity of the biosensor approaches 290 GHz/RIU, and the experimental concentration sensitivity of the biosensor is ≥ 275 kHz mL/cell. Candida Albicans, Escherichia Coli, and Shigella Dysenteriae were selected as analytes, and the measurement frequency shift is 270 GHz, 290 GHz, and 310 GHz, respectively, which indicates that the biosensor can detect and distinguish these bacteria. Successfully detection of low-concentration glioblastoma (200 cells/mL), showing great potential for the early diagnosis of glioblastoma of the biosensor. This biosensor supplies a new horizon for cell detection, which will significantly benefit cell biology investigation.

Keywords: applied sciences; photonics; sensor system.