Surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on integrated optical waveguide

We report a sensor based on spectral interrogation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in an integrated optical waveguide-coupled SPR sensing device. We present theoretical analysis of the integrated optical SPR sensor structure leading to a device design optimized for operation in aqueous environments. We demonstrate that the fabricated laboratory prototype of the sensor is capable of measuring bulk refractive index changes smaller than 1.2 x 10(-6). In conjunction with specific biomolecular recognition elements (monoclonal antibodies against human chorigonadotropin (hCG)) the sensor is used for the detection of hCG. The sensor is demonstrated to be capable of detecting 2 ng of hCG present in 1 mi of 1% bovine serum albumin solution. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.