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Light enhancement in nanoscale structures could aid cancer detection

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Light enhancement in nanoscale structures could aid cancer detection
Light: Science & Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01212-4″ width=”800″ height=”356″/>
Working principle and experimental facility. a Schematic of the system. When the metasurface is off-resonance, the laser heating of the bulk water induces buoyancy-driven flow, transporting and aggregating particles to the center of the illuminated region. When the quasi-BIC is excited, additional heat sources come from the heat dissipation of the water layer close to the resonators. The thermal-induced flow velocity is increased up to three times. The flow is represented by the two arrows above the nanoantennas. Inset: a unit cell of the metasurface. The geometrical parameters: periods, Px=950nm, Py=778nm; a=532nm, b=192nm, H=190nm, θ=10∘. b Experimental set-up used for excitation of the quasi-BIC metasurface and imaging of the motion of suspended tracer particles. L1 and L2, focusing lenses; M1 and M2, mirrors; BF1 and BF2, bandpass filters used to filter light used for excitation of the fluorescent particles and light transmitted for imaging on the camera, respectively. Filtered fluorescent illumination is passed through the objective lens (10× or 40×) and focused on the sample. EDFA, Erbium-doped fiber amplifier used to amplify the power of the input laser; FC fiber collimator, HWP half wave-plate used to rotate the polarization direction of the laser beam, LP linear polarizer. The metasurfaces and fluorescent tracer particles are visualized on a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera by collecting signals through the same objective lens. Credit: Light: Science & Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01212-4

A state-of-the-art technique developed by two brilliant Vanderbilt researchers holds immense potential in revolutionizing the field of disease detection, particularly in the case of illnesses like cancer.

The innovative work carried out by Justus Ndukaife, an assistant professor of electrical engineering, and Sen Yang, a recent Ph.D. graduate, showcases how a specially engineered nanostructured surface known as the quasi-BIC dielectric metasurface can efficiently trap micro and sub-micron particles within seconds. This unique capability aids in the transportation of analytes to biosensing surfaces, allowing for improved detection of diseases. Additionally, the metasurface can function as a sensor to identify aggregated particles or molecules and is highly effective in enhancing fluorescence or Raman signals from these molecules, thereby significantly boosting detection sensitivity.

Ndukaife, who leads the Laboratory for Innovation in Optofluidics and Nanophotonics (LION) at Vanderbilt, highlights the potential applications of this technology, stating, “Such a capability could be utilized to detect cancer-associated vesicles after aggregating the vesicles for longitudinal patient treatment monitoring and early detection.” He further emphasizes the significance of their work, claiming that it is the first experimental demonstration of using quasi-BIC to manipulate fluid flow and suspended particles.

More information: Sen Yang et al, Optofluidic transport and assembly of nanoparticles using an all-dielectric quasi-BIC metasurface, Light: Science & Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01212-4

Provided by Vanderbilt University

Citation: Light enhancement in nanoscale structures could aid cancer detection (2023, July 28) retrieved 29 July 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-07-nanoscale-aid-cancer.html

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