Photonic crystal biosensor featuring an eye-shaped cavity for precise identification of cancerous cells

Abstract

Abstract This article presents a highly sensitive and thermally stable photonic crystal (PhC) biosensor designed for accurate cancer-cell detection. The proposed sensor features a square-lattice of silicon rods (radius 0.1 µm) with a photonic bandgap spanning 1.2–2.1 µm. It includes two line-defect waveguides for input and output, and a uniquely engineered Eye-shaped cavity that holds the analyte as embedded rods. These rods are strategically arranged along the Eye-shaped boundary and the central area resembling an iris, facilitating accurate detection through resonance wavelength shifts triggered by changes in the refractive index. The biosensor demonstrates excellent transmission efficiency (69.7%–99.9%), high sensitivity (236–243 nm/RIU), and a strong quality factor (15,764–87,070), ensuring sharp and clearly defined resonance peaks. A key advantage of the design is its linear response to refractive index variations, which enhances detection accuracy and supports reliable real-time biosensing. Moreover, the sensor maintains stable performance across a wide temperature range (25 °C to 75 °C) and exhibits robust tolerance to fabrication variations. These features validate the biosensor’s precision for biomedical diagnostics.