Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Miniaturized and highly sensitive bio-sensors are attractive in various applications, such as medicine or food safety. Photonic crystal (PhC) microcavities present multiple advantages for rapid and accurate label-free optical detection. But their principle of operation (i.e. observation of a peak in transmission) makes their integration in serial arrays difficult. We present in this paper a multi-channel sensor consisting of several resonant PhC microcavities coupled to the same waveguide. The transmission spectrum shows as many dips as there are cavities, and each of the microcavities can act as an independent sensor. Preliminary results show the fabrication and characterization of a double-channel structure with small defects used as a solvent sensor.