Multiplexed Selective Detection and Identification of TCE and Xylene in Water by On-Chip Absorption Spectroscopy

We demonstrate a device which can do multiplexed detection of two different chemicals on one chip by using infrared absorption spectroscopy. The signature of Trichloroethylene(TCE) and xylene in water enable multiplexed detection on one chip. We use the slow light effect in the photonic crystal design which enhances the absorption of the analytes by a factor of 30 as demonstrated by our previous works. In order to match the absorption peaks of these two analytes, photonic crystal slow light regions are designed at 1644nm and 1674nm with a SU8 cladding on top. Multiplexed detection is enabled by using a multimode interference (MMI) optical power splitter at the input, which divides optical power into two arms, and Y combiner at the output. Consequently, the absorption of these two chemicals can be enhanced by the slow light effect. The MMI structure and Y combiner also enable the multiplexed detection of two analytes on one chip.