Wide subwavelength grating waveguide photonic integrated circuit sensor system

We are studying the viability of a chip-scale integrated photonics based sensor assay array for wearable soldier health monitoring and environmental hazard warning applications. We propose using label-free analyte capture material clad wide subwavelength grating (SWG) waveguides as the sensor elements in a multiplexed array to probe the myriad variety and concentration ranges of chemical hazards and biomarker health molecules expected in these applications. We present here the simulated behavior of both rectangular and tapered wide SWG geometries. We discuss their transmission spectra, effective index, bulk sensitivity, and cladding dependence on waveguide width alongside strip and slot waveguide geometries. Experimental transmission and effective index measurements validating our simulation techniques are also given.