High-sensitivity DNA biosensor based on optical fiber taper interferometer coated with conjugated polymer tentacle

Abstract

A sensitive bio-probe to in situ detect unlabeled single-stranded DNA targets based on optical microfiber taper interferometer coated by a high ordered pore arrays conjugated polymer has been presented. The polymer coating serves as tentacles to catch single-stranded DNA molecules by π-π conjugated interaction and varies the surface refractive index of the optical microfiber. The microfiber taper interferometer translates the refractive index information into wavelength shift of the interference fringe. The sensor exhibits DNA concentration sensitivity of 2.393 nm/log M and the lowest detection ability of 10(-10) M or even lower.