Exploring Metasurface-Based Biosensor: New Frontiers in Sensitivity and Versatility for Biomedical Applications

Recently, there has been a surge of interest among researchers in metamaterials and metasurfaces due to their exceptional optical and electrical properties. Metamaterials are defined as artificially engineered periodic structures that exhibit both negative permittivity and permeability simultaneously. In contrast, metasurfaces can be viewed as the two-dimensional counterpart of metamaterials, characterized by a small yet significant depth. Their strong optical confinement and tunable optical resonances make these engineered materials a promising photonic platform for a wide range of applications. These materials hold substantial potential for various uses, including antennas, absorbers, slow-light devices, photocatalysis, optical modulators, and highly sensitive sensors and biosensors. Specifically, metasurfaces are particularly well-suited for biosensing applications due to their ability to confine light effectively and adjust optical resonances. This review paper explores the latest advancements in metasurface-based biosensing technologies and their potential applications in the biomedical field. Additionally, it provides a thorough and detailed analysis of metasurface-based biosensors developed for medical diagnostics, biomolecule detection (such as viruses and nucleic acids), glucose monitoring, and disease diagnosis, including cancer detection.