DEMUX SiC optical transducers for fluorescent proteins detection

This paper presents results on the optimization of multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures that can be used as an optical transducer for fluorescent proteins detection. Stacked structures composed by p-i-n based a-SiC:H cells are used as wavelength selective devices, in the visible range. The transfer characteristics of the transducers are studied both theoretically and experimentally under several wavelength illuminations corresponding to different fluorophores and tested for a proper fine tuning in the violet, cyan and yellow wavelengths. The devices were characterized through spectral response measurements under different electrical and optical bias conditions and excitation frequencies. Results show that the output waveform is balanced by the wavelength and frequency of each input fluorescent signal, keeping the memory of the wavelength and intensity of the incoming optical carriers. To selectively recover a single wavelength a specific voltage or optical bias is applied.