Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser
Microcavity lasers show excellent performance as a miniaturized microsensor in various applications. However, their relatively weak power may be easily submerged in system noises and disturbed by environmental fluctuations, rendering them ineffective at detecting small signals for precise sensing. T...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AIP Publishing LLC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | APL Photonics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0158302 |
| _version_ | 1827821717906522112 |
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| author | Mingfang Li Zongren Dai Mingwang Tian Yidong Tan |
| author_facet | Mingfang Li Zongren Dai Mingwang Tian Yidong Tan |
| author_sort | Mingfang Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microcavity lasers show excellent performance as a miniaturized microsensor in various applications. However, their relatively weak power may be easily submerged in system noises and disturbed by environmental fluctuations, rendering them ineffective at detecting small signals for precise sensing. To solve this problem, the laser differential frequency-shift feedback technique is demonstrated in a microtubule Raman laser to achieve the optical gain assistance. When the microlaser is frequency-shift-modulated and returns back to the resonator, the measurement signal can resonate with the laser relaxation oscillation and be significantly enhanced. The intracavity dynamics-based enhancement makes it effective for increasing intensity changes caused by analytes. Small signals that would otherwise be buried in system noises and go undetected can be more easily resolved. In addition, the microsensor reduces the spectral measurement range and offers a way to observe the fast dynamic response. Based on that, a measurement resolution of 50 nm nanoparticle detection limit and a refractive index noise-limited resolution of 8.18 × 10−7 refractive index unit (RIU) are demonstrated. The dynamic phase transition of thermosensitive hydrogel is further investigated as a validation of its rapid detection capability. Integrated with an inherent microfluidic channel, the proposed microsensor provides a direct interaction between analytes and probe light with ultrasmall sample consumption down to 50 pl. It is expected to boost the detection of weak signals in microlasers and enlighten the development of optofluidic microsensors in exploring diverse biochemical processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:48:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c9f91830aa343028683181743a384ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2378-0967 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:48:03Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | AIP Publishing LLC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | APL Photonics |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c9f91830aa343028683181743a384ca2023-09-08T16:17:32ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Photonics2378-09672023-08-0188086111086111-1010.1063/5.0158302Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaserMingfang Li0Zongren Dai1Mingwang Tian2Yidong Tan3The State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaMicrocavity lasers show excellent performance as a miniaturized microsensor in various applications. However, their relatively weak power may be easily submerged in system noises and disturbed by environmental fluctuations, rendering them ineffective at detecting small signals for precise sensing. To solve this problem, the laser differential frequency-shift feedback technique is demonstrated in a microtubule Raman laser to achieve the optical gain assistance. When the microlaser is frequency-shift-modulated and returns back to the resonator, the measurement signal can resonate with the laser relaxation oscillation and be significantly enhanced. The intracavity dynamics-based enhancement makes it effective for increasing intensity changes caused by analytes. Small signals that would otherwise be buried in system noises and go undetected can be more easily resolved. In addition, the microsensor reduces the spectral measurement range and offers a way to observe the fast dynamic response. Based on that, a measurement resolution of 50 nm nanoparticle detection limit and a refractive index noise-limited resolution of 8.18 × 10−7 refractive index unit (RIU) are demonstrated. The dynamic phase transition of thermosensitive hydrogel is further investigated as a validation of its rapid detection capability. Integrated with an inherent microfluidic channel, the proposed microsensor provides a direct interaction between analytes and probe light with ultrasmall sample consumption down to 50 pl. It is expected to boost the detection of weak signals in microlasers and enlighten the development of optofluidic microsensors in exploring diverse biochemical processes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0158302 |
| spellingShingle | Mingfang Li Zongren Dai Mingwang Tian Yidong Tan Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser APL Photonics |
| title | Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser |
| title_full | Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser |
| title_fullStr | Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser |
| title_short | Intracavity dynamics-based gain-assisted sensing with microtubule Raman microlaser |
| title_sort | intracavity dynamics based gain assisted sensing with microtubule raman microlaser |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0158302 |
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