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Light shines way to diagnosis - The Physics Congress 2003

March 17, 2003

A research team from the Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde has developed an array of miniature ultra-bright light emitting diodes (LEDs), which they believe could form the basis of a biosensor detection system, allowing doctors to perform thousands of clinical tests all in one go. Team leader Professor Martin Dawson will be presenting a paper on this topic on Thursday 27 March at Heriot-Watt University as part of the Institute of Physics Congress.

Professor Dawson said: "The microLED arrays could be developed as the core component in a range of bio-sensors. For example, the light could be used to excite chemical markers designed to detect and react to the presence of genetic diseases." Such a device could take the form of an array of DNA or protein samples, tagged with chemical markers, printed above each LED emitter. Each sample could then be individually examined by studying changes to the emitted light, as this causes the tags in the samples to activate. A 64 x 64 array would allow over 4000 different samples to be tested at the same time. Professor Dawson said: "With the addition of liquid handling components and built-in detectors a complete optical 'laboratory on a chip' detection system would be possible."

The team has already constructed a 16x16 array of blue micro-LED emitters, this tiny device has dimensions of 0.5mm x 0.5mm, with each emitter being about 20 microns in diameter. The individual emitters on the array can be activated individually allowing the array to spelling out "IOP" for example.

In order to achieve the biosensor goal, larger arrays (up to 128 x 96 emitters) are being built, to obtain emission at different wavelengths, for example in the green or violet/UV (current devices emit blue light at 470nm) and to further improve the efficiency of the devices.

The microLEDs are based on gallium nitride (GaN) technology. Professor Dawson, explains that: "Conventional GaN LED devices have a number of drawbacks which are overcome by the microLED device. The microLEDs are smaller, have better efficiency, increased beam quality, faster operating speeds and better viewing angles than their larger counterparts. These devices have the potential to have a major impact in areas as diverse as displays, communications and optical biochips."

The devices are suitable for use in optical communications, either chip-to-chip or via optical fibre, as the individual micro-LEDs can be switched on and off very quickly. The team also believes that it will be possible to produce a full colour micro-display either by changing the structure of the devices or by converting the wavelength of the blue light, down the spectrum, into green or red, by using phosphors or polymers.

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