Optical analyte detector

An optical analyte detector, comprising:

• a light source for generating a first optical signal having a first wavelength;
• a substrate;
• an optical layer formed on the substrate, the optical layer having an upper surface;
• first and second open cells defined in the upper surface of the optical layer, the first open cell being adapted for receiving a reference sample and the second open cell being adapted for receiving a test sample to be analyzed for presence of the analyte;
• a first waveguide embedded in the optical layer, the light source transmitting the first optical signal into the first waveguide;
• second, third and fourth waveguides embedded in the optical layer, the fourth waveguide directly optically coupling the light source to the first waveguide;
• a primary microring resonator embedded in the optical layer adjacent the fourth waveguide, the primary microring resonator being optically coupled to the fourth waveguide;
• a first optical splitter disposed between the first waveguide and the second and third waveguides, the first optical splitter splitting the first optical signal between the second and third waveguides into waves of equal power transmission, defining second and third optical signals, respectively;
• a first transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer embedded in the optical layer, the first transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer defining a bottom wall of the first open cell;
• a second transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer embedded in the optical layer, the second transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer defining a bottom wall of the second open cell;
• a first microring resonator embedded in the optical layer beneath the first transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer and coupled thereto, the second waveguide being positioned to optically couple with the first microring resonator;
• a second microring resonator embedded in the optical layer beneath the second transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer and coupled thereto, the third waveguide being positioned to optically couple with the second microring resonator;
• a first photodetector receiving the second optical signal from the second waveguide, the second waveguide, the first open cell, the first microring resonator, and the first photodetector defining a reference branch;
• a second photodetector receiving the third optical signal from the third waveguide, the third waveguide, the second open cell, the second microring resonator, and the second photodetector defining a test branch;
• and
• a first comparator in communication with the first and second photodetectors for comparing wavelengths of the optical signals in the reference branch and the test branch and calculating a first wavelength shift therebetween, the detector confirming presence of the analyte in the test sample when the first wavelength shift is greater than 0.01 nm.