Optimization of biosensing using grating couplers: Immobilization on tantalum oxide waveguides

This paper presents a comparative study of immobilization strategies for integrated optical grating couplers using tantalum oxide waveguides. As a model system the affinity reaction between protein G and human IgG was investigated. The receptors were coupled to the waveguides by adsorption, covalent attachment and avidin-biotin bridges after modifying the sensor surface by silanization introducing epoxy and amino groups. In addition, the results obtained by a monolayer coverage of the sensors with the receptors were compared with those using a carboxymethyl-dextran matrix allowing the immobilization of an increased amount of protein. The different coupling procedures were assessed by the system response due to the specific binding of human IgG to the sensing layer and are discussed with respect to their effectiveness, stability and the absence of non-specific binding.