Biochemical detection with ultra wideband coherent optical combs

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for biochemical detection with ultra wideband coherent optical combs. An example biosensor includes an optical excitation source configured to generate an optical excitation signal, a programmable optical filter, an optical detector, and detection circuitry configured to apply coherent mixing detection. During a biosensory operation the optical excitation signal is applied to a biochemical sample that includes at least one targeted biochemical agent, and the optical detector captures a first signal that includes spectral responses corresponding to applying the optical excitation signal. The programmable optical filter applies optical filtering to a copy of the optical excitation signal, based on a matching target reference signal for the targeted biochemical agent, to generate second signal. The detection circuitry applies coherent mixing detection to the first signal and the second signal generated. Applying the coherent mixing detection includes combining the first signal and the second signal line-by-line.