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FI20176101A1 - Optical sensor - Google Patents

Optical sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
FI20176101A1
FI20176101A1 FI20176101A FI20176101A FI20176101A1 FI 20176101 A1 FI20176101 A1 FI 20176101A1 FI 20176101 A FI20176101 A FI 20176101A FI 20176101 A FI20176101 A FI 20176101A FI 20176101 A1 FI20176101 A1 FI 20176101A1
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Finland
Prior art keywords
signal
peak
detection element
notch
counter
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Application number
FI20176101A
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Finnish (fi)
Swedish (sv)
Inventor
Kari Tukkiniemi
Original Assignee
Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt Oy
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Publication date
Application filed by Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt Oy filed Critical Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt Oy
Priority to FI20176101A priority Critical patent/FI20176101A1/en
Priority to PCT/FI2018/050872 priority patent/WO2019115864A1/en
Publication of FI20176101A1 publication Critical patent/FI20176101A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/28—Investigating the spectrum
    • G01J3/30—Measuring the intensity of spectral lines directly on the spectrum itself
    • G01J3/32—Investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/27—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection ; circuits for computing concentration
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/75—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
    • G01N21/77—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
    • G01N21/7703—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides
    • G01N21/7746—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides the waveguide coupled to a cavity resonator
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
    • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
    • G01N33/53—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor
    • G01N33/543—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor with an insoluble carrier for immobilising immunochemicals
    • G01N33/54366—Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
    • G01N33/54373—Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
    • G02B6/29331—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by evanescent wave coupling
    • G02B6/29335—Evanescent coupling to a resonator cavity, i.e. between a waveguide mode and a resonant mode of the cavity
    • G02B6/29338—Loop resonators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K21/00—Details of pulse counters or frequency dividers
    • H03K21/38—Starting, stopping or resetting the counter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K5/00—Manipulating of pulses not covered by one of the other main groups of this subclass
    • H03K5/125—Discriminating pulses

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cell Biology (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)

Abstract

An optical sensor, comprising a sensor element (100), comprising at least one reference arm (R) comprising a first reference ring resonator (20a) and a second reference ring resonator (20b); at least one signal arm (S) comprising at least one signal ring resonator (10a-n) having a functional coating thereon; and a tunable source of electromagnetic radiation (30); and a readout arrangement (200), comprising at least one reference detector (40r) and at least one signal detector (40s); a reference amplifier (50r) and a signal amplifier (50s) connected to the at least one reference detector (40r) and the at least one signal detector (40s) respectively; a reference peak or notch detection element (60r) and a signal peak or notch detection element (60s) connected to the reference amplifier (50r) and the signal amplifier (50s) respectively; a reference counter element (70r) and a signal counter element (70s) and a clock (80) connected to both; wherein the output of the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is connected to both the reference counter (70r) and the signal counter (70s) and the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is arranged to provide a pulse starting the reference (70r) and the signal (70s) counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator (20a).

Description

OPTICAL SENSOR
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present application generally relates to an optical sensor. In particular, but not exclusively, the present application relates to readout of an optical sensor. In particular, but not exclusively, the present application relates to readout of a ring resonator based optical sensor.
BACKGROUND [0002] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein being representative of the state of the art.
[0003] Optical ring resonators are used as highly sensitive gravimetric sensors. The resonance wavelength of such a resonator changes as material is deposited in the surface of the resonator. By activating the surface of the resonator with a functional film or coating, such as biosensitive film, a highly sensitive, robust and cheap biosensor is realized.
[0004] Previously signal detection of such a sensor has been done using an accurate analog-to-digital converter and post processing, causing the sensor readout to require large amounts of power and space for the components thereof. Accordingly, handheld and/or battery powered systems have not been feasible.
[0005] Use of ring resonators with reference resonators has been previously suggested for example in publications US 5663790 A, US 2012182552 A1, US2015024507 A1, US 6721053 B1 and US2012092650 A1. However, these known systems suffer from the aforementioned disadvantages of complex readout arrangements.
[0006] It is the aim of the current invention to mitigate the problems of previous solutions.
SUMMARY [0007] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.
[0008] According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical sensor, comprising a sensor element, comprising at least one reference arm comprising a first reference ring resonator;
at least one signal arm comprising at least one signal ring resonator having a functional coating thereon; and a tunable source of electromagnetic radiation; and a readout arrangement, comprising at least one reference detector and at least one signal detector;
a reference amplifier and a signal amplifier connected to the at least one reference detector and the at least one signal detector respectively;
a reference peak or notch detection element and a signal peak or notch detection element connected to the reference amplifier and the signal amplifier respectively;
a signal counter element and a clock connected thereto; wherein the output of the reference peak or notch detection element is connected to the signal counter and the reference peak or notch detection element is arranged to provide a pulse starting the signal counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator.
[0009] The output of the signal peak or notch detection element may be connected to the signal counter and the signal peak or notch detection element may be arranged to provide a pulse stopping the signal counter element in response to the signal peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the signal ring resonator.
[0010] The at least one reference arm may further comprise a second reference ring resonator; and the optical sensor may further comprise a reference counter element; wherein the clock may be connected both to the reference counter element and the signal counter element; and wherein the reference peak or notch detection element may be arranged to provide a pulse starting both the reference and the signal counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator.
[0011] The reference peak or notch detection element may be further arranged to provide a pulse stopping the reference counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the second reference ring resonator.
[0012] The source of electromagnetic radiation may comprise a semiconductor laser.
[0013] The reference peak or notch detection element and the signal peak or notch detection element may comprise a constant fraction discriminator.
[0014] The functional coating of the at least one signal ring resonator may comprise a coating arranged to cause a desired measurement target to be deposited onto the coating causing the resonance wavelength of the at least one signal ring resonator to change.
[0015] According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measurement method, comprising controlling the wavelength of an electromagnetic source so as to sweep through a predetermined wavelength range;
detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of a first reference ring resonator causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with a reference peak or notch detection element; and sending a pulse from the reference peak or notch detection element to a signal counter in order to start it.
[0016] The method may further comprise detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of at least one signal ring resonator causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with a signal peak or notch detection element; and sending a pulse from the signal peak or notch detection element to the signal counter in order to stop it.
[0017] The method may further comprise detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of a second reference ring resonator causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with the reference peak or notch detection element; and sending a pulse from the reference peak or notch detection element to a reference counter in order to stop it.
[0018] The method may further comprise determining the resonance wavelength from the output data of the reference counter and the signal counter (70s).
[0019] According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising the sensor of the first example aspect of the present invention; a memory; and a processor configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method of the second example aspect of the present invention.
[0020] The apparatus may comprise a handheld electronic device.
[0021] According to a fourth example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer code for causing performing the method of the second example aspect of the present invention, when executed by an apparatus.
[0022] According to a fifth example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory memory medium comprising the computer program of the fourth example aspect of the present invention.
[0023] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0025] Fig. 1A shows a schematic view of a sensor element according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0026] Fig. 1B shows a schematic view of a sensor element according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0027] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block view of a readout arrangement of a sensor according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0028] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a measurement method according to an embodiment of the invention; and [0029] Fig. 4 shows a schematic block view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] The present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to Figs. 1A through 4 of the drawings. In this document, like reference signs denote like parts or steps.
[0031] Figs. 1A and 1B show a schematic view of a sensor element 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The sensor element 100 comprises at least one reference arm R and at least on signal arm S. The at least one reference arm comprises a first reference ring resonator 20a. In an embodiment, the at least one reference arm further comprises a second reference ring resonator 20b. In an embodiment of Fig. 1A, the first 20a and second 20b reference ring resonators are connected in series on the reference arm R of the sensor 100. In an embodiment of Fig. 1B, the first 20a and second 20b reference ring resonators are connected in parallel on the reference arm R of the sensor 100. In such an embodiment, the output of the first 20a and the second 20b reference ring resonator is either optically connected to a single output or each of the first 20a and second 20b reference ring resonator has an own output.
[0032] The first reference ring resonator 20a and the second reference ring resonator 20b have a first and second resonance wavelength, respectively. The first and second resonance wavelength are different from each other. In an embodiment, the first resonance wavelength is smaller than the second resonance wavelength. In a further embodiment, the first resonance wavelength is larger than the second resonance wavelength. Accordingly, the first and second resonance wavelength define a wavelength range for the sensor. In an embodiment, the first 20a and second 20b reference ring resonator do not have thereon a functional film or coating, they are so to say passivated, i.e. their resonance wavelength does not change in accordance with the prevailing condition, e.g. the concentration of the target to be measured.
[0033] The at least one signal arm S comprises at least one signal ring resonator 10a-n. In an embodiment, the at least one signal arm S comprises a plurality of signal ring resonators 10a-n in parallel. In an embodiment, the sensor element 100 has several signal arms S, each signal arm S comprising at least one signal ring resonator 10a-n. The at least one signal ring resonator comprises a functional coating thereon, i.e. the surface of the at least one signal ring resonator 10a-n is activated. The functional coating is arranged to cause a desired measurement target to be deposited, or attached, onto the coating causing the resonance wavelength of the at least one signal ring resonator to change, which change is measurable. The resonance wavelength, prior to deposition of measurement target material and thereafter, of the at least one signal ring resonator 10a-n lies between the first and second reference resonance wavelengths of the first 20a and second 20b reference ring resonators.
[0034] The sensor element 100 further comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation 30, e.g. visible or infrared light. In an embodiment, the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a tunable optical source, with a narrow linewidth, i.e. a single wavelength optical source. In an embodiment, the source of electromagnetic radiation comprises a laser source. In a further embodiment the laser source comprises a semiconductor laser. The source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to be tunable, i.e. the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is tunable. In operation, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is tuned in such a way as to make a sweep of a certain wavelength range. In an embodiment, the range through which the wavelength is adjusted is equal to or wider than the range defined by the first and second reference wavelength. In an embodiment, the change of wavelength per time unit during a sweep of the wavelength range of the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 is constant and known.
[0035] The electromagnetic radiation from the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 is relayed to the at least one reference arm R and the at least one signal arm S with optical fibres. The electromagnetic radiation after having passed the at least one reference arm R and the at least one signal arm S exits the sensor element with an intensity depending on the wavelength at any given moment.
[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block view of a readout arrangement 200 of a sensor according to an embodiment of the invention. The sensor element 100 and the readout arrangement 200 together form a sensor according to an embodiment of the invention. The readout arrangement 200 comprises at least one reference detector 40r and at least one signal detector 40s. In an embodiment, the readout arrangement 200 comprises at first reference detector 40r and a second reference detector 40r'. The reference 40r,40r' and signal 40s detector comprise detectors of electromagnetic radiation, for example photodiodes or phototransistors. The reference detector 40r,40r' and the signal detector 40s receive the electromagnetic radiation from the reference arm R and the signal arm of s of the sensor 100, respectively. It is to be noted, that in an embodiment, the readout arrangement 200 comprises a number of reference 40r and signal 40s detectors, and the elements connected thereto described hereinafter, corresponding to the number of reference arms R or reference ring resonators 20a,20b and the number signal arms S or signal ring resonators 10a-n, respectively, of the sensor 100.
[0037] The readout arrangement 200 further comprises a reference amplifier 50r,50r' connected to the at least one reference detector 40r and a signal amplifier 50s connected to the at least one signal detector 40s. In an embodiment the reference 50r,50r' and signal 50s amplifier comprise a transimpedance or charge amplifier. The readout arrangement 200 further comprises a reference peak or notch detection element 60r and a signal peak or notch detection element 60s connected to the output of the reference 50r and signal 50s amplifier. In an embodiment, the reference 60r and the signal 60s peak or notch detection element comprise an element configured to compensate timing error induced by variation of signal shape and/or amplitude. In an embodiment the reference 60r and the signal 60s peak or notch detection element comprise a constant fraction discriminator.
[0038] The readout arrangement 200 further comprises a signal counter element 70s. In an embodiment, the readout arrangement 200 further comprises a reference counter element. The output of the reference peak or notch detection element 60r is connected to the signal counter 70s and in an embodiment to the reference counter 70r and the reference peak or notch detection element 60r is arranged to provide a pulse starting the signal 70s counter and in an embodiment the reference counter 70r as the reference peak or notch detection element detects the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator 20a.
[0039] The output of the signal peak or notch detection element 60s is connected to the signal counter 70s and the signal peak or notch detection element 60s is arranged to provide a pulse stopping the signal counter element 70s as the signal peak or notch detection element 60s detects the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the signal ring resonator 10a-n. The reference peak or notch detection element 60r is further arranged to provide a pulse stopping the reference counter 70r as the reference peak or notch detection element 60r detects the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the second reference ring resonator 20b.
[0040] The readout arrangement 200 further comprises a clock 80 connected to the signal 70s counter and in an embodiment to the reference counter 70r. The resolution of the clock is decisive for the resolution of determination of the resonance wavelength of the signal ring resonator 10a-n, as the resonance wavelength, and therethrough the result of the measurement, is calculated from the counter data.
[0041] In a further example embodiment, if the amplitude of the peak or notch caused by the resonance wavelength is desired to be known, the readout arrangement further comprises an Analog-to-Digital converter connected to the output of the signal amplifier 50s arranged to be started by a pulse from the signal peak or notch detection element.
[0042] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a measurement method according to an embodiment of the invention. At 310, the source of electromagnetic radiation 30, in an embodiment a semiconductor laser, is started and the wavelength of the output of the source 30 is tuned, i.e. controlled, so as to sweep through a predetermined wavelength range. At 320, the wavelength has reached the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator 20a causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, which peak is detected by the reference peak or notch detection element 60r causing it to send a pulse to the signal counter 70s which is started at 330 and in an embodiment to the reference counter which is also started..
[0043] At 340 the wavelength has reached the resonance wavelength of a signal ring resonator 10a-n causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, which peak or notch is detected by the signal peak or notch detection element 60s causing it to send a pulse to the signal counter 70s which is stopped at 350. It is to be noted that the steps 340 and 350 are repeated for each signal ring resonator 10a-n. In an embodiment in which the change of wavelength per time unit during a sweep of the wavelength range of the source of electromagnetic radiation 30 is constant and known, and no reference counter is present, the measurement result is calculated after step 340 at 380, since the change of wavelength from the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator 20a is known from the time elapsed.
[0044] At 360, the wavelength has reached the resonance wavelength of the second reference ring resonator 20b causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, which peak or notch is detected by the reference peak or notch detection element 60r causing it to send a pulse to the reference counter 70r which is stopped at 370. At 380, the signal wavelength and therefrom the measurement result, e.g. concentration of a target species, is calculated from the counter data.
[0045] Fig. 4 shows a schematic block view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises a sensor element 100 according to an embodiment of the invention as hereinbefore described and a readout arrangement 200 according to an embodiment of the invention as hereinbefore described.
[0046] The apparatus further comprises a control unit 400. In an embodiment, the control unit 400 comprises, or is comprised in, a separate device or comprises a separate element integrated with the apparatus. The control unit 400 comprises electronics configured to control the operations of the apparatus, to carry out calculations and to cause carrying out the steps of the method according to the invention. In an embodiment, if separate, the control unit 400 is connected to the apparatus in a conventional manner, for example with wires or wirelessly with e.g. wireless local area network or near field communication such as Bluetooth or Near Field Communication, NFC, in which case the required communication components are provided on the control unit 400.
[0047] The control unit 400, in an embodiment, comprises a memory 440 and a processor 420. The processor 420 is configured to retrieve data from the readout arrangement 200 and to cause storing the data into the memory 440. The processor 420 is further configured to cause controlling of the operation of the apparatus and the control unit 400 itself using a non-transitory computer program code stored in the memory 440.
[0048] In a further embodiment, the control unit 400 comprises a communication unit 410 comprising, for example, a local area network (LAN) port; a wireless local area network (WLAN) unit; Bluetooth unit; cellular data communication unit; near field communication unit or satellite data communication unit. The control unit further comprises a power source, such as a battery 450 or a connection to external power.
[0049] In a further embodiment the control unit 400 comprises a user interface unit 430 comprising for example a display or a touch display for showing the measurement result. In a further embodiment the user interface unit 430 comprises a simplified display, such as led array or lights of different colors, for example light emitting diodes, for indicating the result of the measurement.
[0050] In a still further embodiment, the control element 400 comprises, or is comprised in, a personal electronic device such as a wristwatch, a smart watch, an activity bracelet, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a computer or a television, configured to co-operate with the sensor 100 and the readout arrangement 200.
[0051] Some use cases relating to given embodiments of the optical sensor and measurement method according to embodiments of the invention, are presented in the following. In a first use case, the sensor and the readout arrangement are used in food safety and hygiene measurements in a handheld device used on site. In such a case, the signal ring resonators are coated with a functional coating to for example bacteria, pharmaceuticals, pesticide residues or toxic substances.
[0052] In a second use case, the sensor and the readout arrangement according to embodiments of the invention are used in food industry or consumption for allergen detection with the signal ring resonators being coated with a functional coating sensitive to for example gluten.
[0053] In a third use case, the sensor and the readout arrangement according to embodiments of the invention are used in health care for DNA or protein detection with the signal ring resonators being coated with a functional coating sensitive to DNA elements or proteins.
[0054] In a fourth use case, the sensor and the readout arrangement according to embodiments of the invention are used in health care in Diabetes control blood sugar measurements with the signal ring resonators being coated with a functional coating sensitive to glucose.
[0055] In a fifth use case, the sensor and the readout arrangement according to embodiments of the invention are used in health care in prostate cancer testing with the signal ring resonators being coated with a functional coating sensitive to prostate-specific antigen.
[0056] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is a lowered cost and energy usage of a gravimetric sensors. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments 10 disclosed herein is reduction of size of a gravimetric sensor. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the provision of improved integration of gravimetric sensors.
[0057] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of 15 features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.
[0058] It is also noted herein that while the foregoing describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting 20 sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. An optical sensor, comprising a sensor element (100), comprising at least one reference arm (R) comprising a first reference ring resonator (20a);
at least one signal arm (S) comprising at least one signal ring resonator (10a-n) having a functional coating thereon; and a tunable source of electromagnetic radiation (30); and a readout arrangement (200), comprising at least one reference detector (40r) and at least one signal detector (40s);
a reference amplifier (50r) and a signal amplifier (50s) connected to the at least one reference detector (40r) and the at least one signal detector (40s) respectively;
a reference peak or notch detection element (60r) and a signal peak or notch detection element (60s) connected to the reference amplifier (50r) and the signal amplifier (50s) respectively;
a signal counter element (70s) and a clock (80) connected thereto; wherein the output of the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is connected to the signal counter (70s) and the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is arranged to provide a pulse starting the signal (70s) counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator (20a).
2. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the output of the signal peak or notch detection element (60s) is connected to the signal counter (70s) and the signal peak or notch detection element (60s) is arranged to provide a pulse stopping the signal counter element (70s) in response to the signal peak or notch detection element (60s) detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the signal ring resonator (10a-n).
3. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the at least one reference arm (R) further comprises a second reference ring resonator (20b); and further comprising a reference counter element (70r); wherein the clock (80) is connected both to the reference counter element (70r) and the signal counter element (70s); and wherein the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is arranged to provide a pulse starting both the reference (70r) and the signal (70s) counter in response to the reference peak or notch detection element detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the first reference ring resonator (20a).
4. The optical sensor of claim 3, wherein the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) is further arranged to provide a pulse stopping the reference counter (70r) in response to the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) detecting the peak or notch caused by the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) having a wavelength corresponding to the resonance wavelength of the second reference ring resonator (20b).
5. The optical sensor of any preceding claim, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation (30) comprises a semiconductor laser.
6. The optical sensor of any preceding claim, wherein the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) and the signal peak or notch detection element (60s) comprise a constant fraction discriminator.
7. The optical sensor of any preceding claim, wherein the functional coating of the at least one signal ring resonator (10a-n) comprises a coating arranged to cause a desired measurement target to be deposited onto the coating causing the resonance wavelength of the at least one signal ring resonator (10a-n) to change.
8. A measurement method, comprising controlling the wavelength of an electromagnetic source (30) so as to sweep through a predetermined wavelength range;
detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of a first reference ring resonator (20a) causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with a reference peak or notch detection element (60r); and sending a pulse from the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) to a signal counter (70s) in order to start it.
9. The method of claim 8,further comprising detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of at least one signal ring resonator (10a-n) causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with a signal peak or notch detection element (60s); and sending a pulse from the signal peak or notch detection element (60s) to the signal counter (70s) in order to stop it.
10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising detecting a peak or notch caused by the wavelength having reached a resonance wavelength of a second reference ring resonator (20b) causing a peak or notch in the output thereof, with the reference peak or notch detection element (60r); and sending a pulse from the reference peak or notch detection element (60r) to a reference counter (70r) in order to stop it.
11. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising determining the resonance wavelength from the output data of the reference counter (70r) and/or the signal counter (70s).
12. An apparatus, comprising the sensor of any of the claims 1 -7;
a memory; and a processor configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method of any of the claims 8-11.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, the apparatus comprising a handheld electronic device.
14. A computer program comprising computer code for causing performing the method of any of the claims 8-11, when executed by an apparatus.
15. A non-transitory memory medium comprising the computer program of claim 14.
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