Bound States in the Continuum Metasurfaces for Biomolecular Detection: A Review of Advances and Applications

Abstract

ABSTRACT The demand for high‐sensitivity, label‐free sensing has driven the development of metasurface‐based optical biosensors. While traditional architectures suffer from broad resonances and limited sensitivity due to radiative and dissipative losses, bound states in the continuum (BICs) offer a pathway to achieve extreme field enhancement and narrow resonance linewidths. By harnessing quasi‐BIC modes, metasurfaces can significantly improve the limit of detection and facilitate device miniaturization. This Review synthesizes current advancements in BIC‐enabled biomolecular sensing, covering fundamental physics, symmetry‐breaking strategies, and sensing modalities. Furthermore, we categorize recent developments based on material platforms—ranging from dielectrics to hybrids—and highlight their specific applications in life sciences. The Review concludes with an outlook on bridging the gap between laboratory research and commercial point‐of‐care diagnostics.