Comparison of surface functionalization processes for optical fibre biosensing applications

Abstract

Optical fibres are a platform of interest for biosensing due to their low cost, high robustness and long interaction length with their surroundings. However, the sensitivity of these techniques lags behind chemiluminescence and other techniques. Here we explore opportunities for improving the sensitivity of fibre-based biosensors by investigating the process by which biomolecules are immobilized onto the glass. Two immobilization technologies are compared: the well-known silane technology and the emerging polyelectrolyte method. This was done using a specific interaction model based on biotin-streptavidin. The number of specific binding sites as well as the induced losses within a microstructured fibre has been characterized. © 2009 SPIE.