Detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration using a simple structure of binary photonic crystal sensor

The scientific community works hard on developing reliable, rapid, highly sensitive, and low-cost techniques to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The current techniques can occasionally produce false-positive results. The development of novel approaches for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 is a significant area of research because of the limitations of current methods. A biosensor based on a defective binary photonic crystal (PCL) is proposed to detect SARS-CoV-2 concentration herein. The model of pathogen concentration-dependent refractive index of the analyte is taken into consideration. The concept of operation of the PCL sensor is based on the defect mode shift when any change in the refractive index of the defect layer occurs. The transmission spectra of the PCL are plotted and studied. An optimum incident angle of 80° and a defect layer thickness of 5 µm are found. The relationship between the defect mode's wavelength and the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 is investigated and a sensitivity of 2648.3 nm RIU${}^{-1}$ is attained. (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)