Phase Sensitive Interferometry for Biosensing Applications

A simple yet highly sensitive implementation of an interferometric technique for a label-free molecular biosensing application is described. The intereferometric detection method is based on the phase-sensitive detection of spectral interference fringes. The change in optical path length due to binding of biomolecules on functionalized optically clear substrates can be quantified by detecting the change in the phase of the spectral fringes. The common path interferometeric design permits measurement of sub- monolayer binding of biomolecules to the sensor surfaces.