Abstract: An optical detection system (100) for detecting biological, chemical or bio-chemical particles is described. The optical detection system (100) typically comprises a surface mode interference means. The surface mode interference means may comprise a layer (102) such as for example a metal layer like e.g. a gold layer. The surface mode interference means furthermore typically is adapted to create an interference effect between optical interface modes of the layer to detect optical changes in the vicinity of the layer (102). In this way, sample (106) occurring in the vicinity of the surface may be detected. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for performing optical detection and to a method for setting up an optical detection system wherein parameters are selected for tuning the surface mode interference means to a desired wavelength range and/or to a desired range of analyte refractive indices.

Abstract: A coupling element includes a first stage having a dielectric waveguide that is transitioned to a waveguide having a sequence of resonators with a fixed period. A second stage transitions the waveguide to a photonic crystal waveguide by gradually bringing closer at an angle the cladding bulk of the photonic crystal to the waveguide.

Abstract: A coupling element includes a first stage having a dielectric waveguide that is transitioned to a waveguide having a sequence of resonators with a fixed period. A second stage transitions the waveguide to a photonic crystal waveguide by gradually bringing closer at an angle the cladding bulk of the photonic crystal to the waveguide.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a beam of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The system includes at least a first stack of dielectric layers, the first stack comprising at least a first substack, a second substack and a third substack, the third substack separating said first and second substack, the first substack comprising at least one dielectric layer, the second substack comprises at least one dielectric layer, the third substack comprises at least one dielectric layer. The dielectric layers of the first substack and the second substack equidistant from the third substack have the same refractive index.