Short Communication - (2025) Volume 12, Issue 4
Received: 01-Jul-2025, Manuscript No. jlop-26-179056;
Editor assigned: 03-Jul-2025, Pre QC No. P-179056;
Reviewed: 17-Jul-2025, QC No. Q-179056;
Revised: 22-Jul-2025, Manuscript No. R-179056;
Published:
29-Jul-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2469-410X. 2025.12.217
Citation: Mendes, Carlos. ”Laser Photonics Advance Optical Biosensing Applications.” J Laser Opt Photonics 12 (2025):217.
Copyright: © 2025 Mendes C. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The field of biosensing has witnessed remarkable advancements, largely driven by the integration of sophisticated optical technologies. Among these, laser and photonic technologies have emerged as pivotal in developing advanced optical biosensors capable of high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid detection of biological analytes. These capabilities are fundamental for breakthroughs in diagnostics and life sciences research. This review delves into how these technologies enable various sensing mechanisms. Specific attention is given to surface plasmon resonance (SPR), interferometry, and fluorescence-based detection, all powered by advanced laser sources and optical components, offering new paradigms in biological detection [1].
The application of tunable diode lasers in refractometric biosensing presents a significant leap forward for detecting small molecules and proteins. By precisely controlling the laser wavelength to align with resonance conditions, researchers have demonstrated substantially enhanced detection limits and specificity. This method represents a considerable improvement over traditional broadband light sources and is particularly advantageous for label-free detection strategies, opening new avenues for molecular analysis [2].
A novel approach utilizing photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) has been developed for biosensing, employing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) excitation enhanced by lasers. The unique design of PCFs facilitates efficient light-matter interaction, which amplifies SPR signals. This leads to superior sensitivity for the detection of specific biomarkers and showcases the potential of integrated photonic devices for highly sensitive biosensing applications. The development of portable optical biosensor platforms has been significantly influenced by the integration of compact laser diodes and microfluidic channels. These platforms are designed for rapid point-of-care diagnostics, employing fluorescence intensity measurements to achieve high throughput and sensitivity in detecting disease markers. The emphasis on miniaturization and cost-effectiveness is driving the widespread adoption of laser-based biosensing technologies [4].
Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, a laser-based technique, offers a powerful means for label-free imaging of cellular structures and processes vital for biosensing. This technique provides high chemical specificity and molecular contrast without the need for fluorescent labels, enabling detailed, real-time visualization of biological events. Its non-invasive nature makes it exceptionally valuable for studying live cellular dynamics [5].
The integration of waveguide-based photonic circuits with laser sources is paving the way for miniaturized optical biosensors. On-chip photonics allows for precise control of light propagation and enhanced light-analyte interactions, resulting in compact and highly efficient sensing devices. This research trajectory points toward the future of integrated photonic biosensing systems, promising smaller and more powerful diagnostic tools [6].
A new class of plasmonic biosensors has been introduced, utilizing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excited by lasers for the detection of viral particles. This sensor design facilitates sensitive and selective binding of viral antigens to the functionalized sensor surface. Detection is achieved through monitoring shifts in the LSPR spectrum, with laser excitation significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio for enhanced performance [7].
Fiber optic biosensors equipped with tunable laser sources have been developed for the sensitive detection of specific DNA sequences. Operating on the principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), these sensors leverage the laser's precise wavelength control to optimize the excitation of fluorescent probes. This optimization leads to highly sensitive and specific detection of DNA hybridization events [8].
Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, another laser-based nonlinear optical imaging technique, is being investigated for the label-free detection and imaging of cellular metabolic activity. The inherent non-invasiveness and molecular specificity of CARS microscopy render it a potent tool for studying biological processes within live cells, offering new possibilities for disease monitoring and understanding cellular function [9].
Robust optical biosensors are being developed utilizing distributed feedback (DFB) lasers for the sensitive detection of pathogens. The narrow spectral linewidth and high stability characteristic of DFB lasers contribute to improved accuracy in detecting subtle refractive index changes that occur when pathogens bind to a functionalized sensing surface, enhancing diagnostic capabilities [10].
The integration of laser and photonic technologies has revolutionized the development of advanced optical biosensors, enabling unprecedented levels of sensitivity and selectivity in detecting biological analytes. These advancements are critical for progress in diagnostics and life sciences research. The exploration encompasses diverse sensing mechanisms, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), interferometry, and fluorescence-based detection, all powered by sophisticated laser sources and optical components, leading to enhanced analytical performance [1].
Refractometric biosensing has been significantly advanced through the application of tunable diode lasers, particularly for the detection of small molecules and proteins. The ability to precisely control laser wavelength to match resonance conditions has led to demonstrably improved detection limits and specificity compared to traditional broadband light sources. This technique is highly valuable for label-free detection strategies, offering a sensitive approach to biomolecule quantification [2].
A novel photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based biosensor design leverages surface plasmon resonance (SPR) enhanced by laser excitation. The intricate geometry of PCFs ensures efficient light-matter interaction, which substantially amplifies SPR signals. This results in heightened sensitivity for identifying specific biomarkers and underscores the potential of integrated photonic devices for highly sensitive biosensing applications. The creation of portable optical biosensor platforms has been propelled by the incorporation of compact laser diodes and microfluidic systems, aiming for rapid point-of-care diagnostics. These devices utilize fluorescence intensity measurements to achieve high throughput and sensitivity in detecting disease markers. A key focus is on achieving miniaturization and cost-effectiveness, crucial factors for the widespread adoption of laser-based biosensing technologies [4].
Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy represents a laser-based technique that facilitates label-free imaging of cellular structures and processes relevant to biosensing. Its ability to provide high chemical specificity and molecular contrast, without the need for fluorescent labels, allows for detailed, real-time visualization of biological events. This non-invasive characteristic makes SRS microscopy an invaluable tool for studying live cellular dynamics [5].
The convergence of waveguide-based photonic circuits and laser sources is leading to the development of highly miniaturized optical biosensors. On-chip photonic components are instrumental in controlling light propagation and intensifying light-analyte interactions, yielding compact and highly efficient sensing devices. This research direction is shaping the future of integrated photonic biosensing systems. A novel plasmonic biosensor has been engineered, employing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excited by a laser for the ultrasensitive detection of viral particles. The sensor's architecture is designed for efficient capture of viral antigens, with detection occurring via shifts in the LSPR spectrum. Laser excitation plays a crucial role in boosting the signal-to-noise ratio, thereby enhancing detection capabilities [7].
Fiber optic biosensors incorporating tunable laser sources have been developed to achieve sensitive detection of specific DNA sequences. These sensors employ fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), where the laser's precise wavelength control optimizes the excitation of fluorescent probes, leading to highly sensitive and specific detection of DNA hybridization [8].
Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, a laser-based nonlinear optical imaging technique, is being explored for label-free detection and imaging of cellular metabolic activity. The technique's inherent non-invasiveness and molecular specificity make it a powerful instrument for studying biological processes in live cells, contributing to advancements in disease monitoring and fundamental biological research [9].
The development of robust optical biosensors is being advanced through the use of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers for sensitive pathogen detection. The narrow spectral linewidth and inherent stability of DFB lasers contribute to enhanced accuracy in identifying refractive index changes associated with pathogen binding to a functionalized sensing surface, improving diagnostic reliability [10].
This collection of research highlights the significant impact of laser and photonic technologies on the advancement of optical biosensors. Studies explore applications ranging from diagnostics and biomolecule detection to cellular imaging and pathogen identification. Key technologies include surface plasmon resonance (SPR), tunable diode lasers, photonic crystal fibers, laser diodes for fluorescence, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), on-chip photonics, localized SPR (LSPR), fiber optics with tunable lasers, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), and distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. These technologies collectively enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and speed in biosensing, enabling label-free detection, miniaturization, and improved performance for various biological applications. The research collectively points towards a future of more sophisticated, portable, and accurate biosensing platforms.
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