Silicon Photonics Biosensors for Cancer Cells Detection—A Review

Biosensors have opened up new possibilities for the detection of several environmental risks and diagnosis of numerous diseases. They have opened a new era in which heavy equipment is no longer required to identify any disease. Optical biosensors that utilize the properties of light for detection have advanced, bringing a new spectrum of real-time monitoring, faster response, improved accuracy, and increased sensitivity. Thereafter, improved integration of optical technology with emerging silicon photonics (SiPh) technology has resulted in the development of integrated circuits for detecting life-threatening disorders such as cancer. Malignant cells differ from normal blood cells in their optical characteristics, making them excellent prospects for detection. This article explores the novel SiPh technology as a technique of utilizing the optical features for cancer cell detection. In addition, biosensor characteristics, such as ease of use, affordability, and sensitivity, are addressed. A comparative analysis of several SiPh designs, including rings, waveguides, photonic crystals (PhC), integrated chips, and sensor arrays, is also presented.