The potential of naturally occurring lasing for biological and chemical sensors

Abstract

Although recent advances in biosensing are promising, there still is a need for label-free, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of single nanoparticles and single biomolecules, without relying in complex fabrications and sophisticated detection strategies. In this review, we show that a better understanding of light-matter interactions can lead to the development of advanced biosensing and bioanalysis systems. In particular, we address alternative biosensing methods of taking advantage of naturally occurring lasers (also known as random lasers). In random lasers, resonances are self-formed due to multiple scattering, leading to light amplification and coherent light generation in the presence of amplifying media. In this case, lasing emission can be unprecedentedly sensitive to subtle nanoscale perturbations. Specifically, we discuss the possibility that random lasers can be an alternative yet superior physical mechanism for biosensors, because the random laser biosensing platform is simple and the detection strategy is straightforward. We further envision that random laser biosensors have the potential to facilitate developing enhanced biological and chemical sensors for single-molecule and single-nanoparticle quantitation.