Germanium Biosensor Filter for Crosstalk-Reduced Nucleic Acid Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors face challenges with crosstalk, where light from one reaction site can undesirably reach sensors intended for another, leading to reduced accuracy in biological and chemical analysis, and existing solutions to mitigate this often increase manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor design incorporating a germanium layer that acts as both an emission filter and a medium for loss-induced crosstalk reduction (LICR), which filters out excitation light and reduces crosstalk by utilizing germanium-based layers over CMOS or CCD sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional image sensors are used without additional filtering layers, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are low, but crosstalk occurs where light from one reaction site reaches sensors intended for another site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emission filter and LICR medium into a single germanium layer, merging two functions (filtering excitation light and reducing crosstalk) into one component. This eliminates the need for separate filter layers and complex optical assemblies, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective crosstalk reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The germanium layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an emission filter to block excitation light, provides loss-induced crosstalk reduction (LICR) to prevent light from reaching adjacent sensors, and maintains compatibility with standard CMOS or CCD sensor fabrication processes. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable crosstalk reduction without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional image sensors are used without additional filtering layers, then the manufacturing cost is low, but crosstalk reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sensor structure by introducing a germanium layer with specific optical properties (high absorption coefficient for excitation wavelengths). This parameter change enables effective crosstalk reduction and improved detection accuracy. The germanium layer can be integrated using existing semiconductor fabrication techniques, keeping manufacturing costs reasonable while significantly improving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If a germanium layer is added for crosstalk reduction, then crosstalk is effectively reduced and detection accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The germanium layer is designed to be self-integrating with the sensor fabrication process. It can be deposited directly onto the CMOS or CCD sensor substrate using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques, and it simultaneously provides both emission filtering and LICR functions. This self-service approach minimizes additional manufacturing steps and complexity while achieving effective crosstalk reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The germanium layer effectively reduces crosstalk, allowing for more accurate detection of emitted light from reaction sites without increasing manufacturing complexity or cost, thereby enhancing the precision of biological and chemical analysis.
Implementation Method 1
utilize a layer including germanium (e.g., silicon germanium, Si(x)Ge(1-x) or SixGe1-x) over the sensor(s) for the purpose of loss induced crosstalk reduction (LICR)... resultant sensors can utilize a layer of germanium as both an emission filter (which blocks excitation light)
Implementation Method 2
utilize a layer including germanium (e.g., silicon germanium, Si(x)Ge(1-x) or SixGe1-x) over the sensor(s) for the purpose of loss induced crosstalk reduction (LICR)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are various examples of aspects of a biosensor and methods for manufacturing and using aspects of a biosensor. The method of manufacturing may include forming a germanium layer above a surface of an image sensor and forming a dielectric stack above a surface of the germanium layer. The biosensor can be utilized by placing nucleic acid(s) in reaction sites of the biosensor, exposing the reaction sites to light from a light source (e.g., excitation light), receiving emitted light from the reaction sites via the germanium layer, and identifying, based on the emitted light, a composition of the one or more nucleic acids.