Optical

Optical biosensors are devices that use light to detect and analyze biological substances or processes. These sensors are based on the principle that when light interacts with a target molecule or biological event, it undergoes a change in its properties, such as intensity, wavelength, or polarization. This change can be measured and used to detect and quantify the presence of specific molecules or to monitor biological processes in real-time.

There are several types of optical biosensors, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fluorescence, and interferometric sensors. SPR sensors, for example, utilize changes in the refractive index of a surface to measure binding interactions between biomolecules. Fluorescence sensors, on the other hand, use the emission of light from fluorescent molecules to detect and measure specific molecules or reactions. Interferometric sensors measure changes in the interference pattern of light waves to determine the presence of analytes.

Optical biosensors have a wide range of applications in various fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, food safety, and drug discovery. They offer advantages such as high sensitivity, real-time monitoring, label-free detection, and multiplexing capabilities. These sensors are often used in research laboratories, clinical settings, and industrial processes to provide rapid and accurate analysis of biological samples.