Integrated Optical Biosensor for Compact System-on-Chip Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical bio-sensors integrated into system-on-chips (SOCs) are bulky due to the large number of components required for effective analyte detection, making them impractical for small form factor applications.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical bio-sensor with a sensing device within a semiconductor substrate, featuring an optical waveguide structure and micro-lenses, which enhances optical signal transmission and resolution, allowing for compact bio-sensing within a SOC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical bio-sensor components are integrated into SOC, then detection capability is achieved, but device size becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete optical components (waveguide, micro-lens, color filter, photodetector) into a single integrated chip structure. The optical waveguide directly connects to the photodetector on the same chip, eliminating the need for separate bulky components while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a three-dimensional vertical integration architecture where components are stacked in layers (waveguide layer, micro-lens layer, color filter layer, photodetector layer) rather than arranging them horizontally. This vertical stacking dramatically reduces the horizontal footprint of the device.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical components are used for analyte detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions (waveguiding, focusing, wavelength filtering, and detection) are combined into a single integrated chip structure. The color filter integrates multiple filtering functions, and the micro-lens array provides both focusing and spatial resolution capabilities, reducing the total component count while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated chip design makes each component serve multiple functions. For example, the color filter layer not only filters wavelengths but also acts as a structural element of the chip. The micro-lens array provides both optical focusing and spatial mapping functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
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
Enables efficient optical detection of analytes with improved signal resolution and differentiation, facilitating integration into small form factor systems-on-chips while maintaining detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
An optical waveguide structure is arranged over a first side of the semiconductor substrate at a position laterally overlying the sensing device
Implementation Method 2
featuring an optical waveguide structure and micro-lenses, which enhances optical signal transmission and resolution
Implementation Method 3
a sensing device disposed within a semiconductor substrate... efficient optical detection of analytes with improved signal resolution and differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having an integrated optical bio-sensor, and an associated method of fabrication. In some embodiments, the integrated optical bio-sensor has a sensing device arranged within a semiconductor substrate. An optical waveguide structure is located over a first side of the semiconductor substrate at a position over the sensing device. A dielectric structure is disposed onto the optical waveguide structure at a position that separates the optical waveguide structure from a sample retention area configured to receive a sample solution.