Fabrication and Characterization of YAG:Ce³⁺ Phosphor Powder-Contained Photonic Crystal for Optical Sensor

Abstract

In this study, the YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor powder was used to fabricate polymer-based photonic crystal (PhC) for obtaining an enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. For fabricating PhC, YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor powder was dispersed into the photocurable polymer, and then the PhC structure was transferred by using nanoimprint lithography. The optical characterization was carried out by monitoring the fluorescence intensity using a blue LED (460 nm) as a light source. For the evaluation of usability for sensor application, fluorescence intensity changes due to the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were carried out. As the amount of BSA molecules adsorbed on the PhC surface increased, a decrease in fluorescence intensity depending on the BSA concentration was observed. Based on these results, the YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor powder contained photonic crystal has the potential for biosensor application.