Quan, QiminBurgess, Ian B.Tang, Sindy K. Y.Floyd, Daniel L.Loncar, Marko2019-10-032011Quan, Qimin, Ian B. Burgess, Sindy K. Y. Tang, Daniel L. Floyd, and Marko Loncar. 2011. “High-Q, Low Index-Contrast Polymeric Photonic Crystal Nanobeam Cavities.” Optics Express 19 (22): 22191. https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.19.022191.1094-4087http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41461257We present the design, fabrication and characterization of high-Q (Q=36,000) polymeric photonic crystal nanobeam cavities made of two polymers that have an ultra-low index contrast (ratio=1.15) and observed thermo-optical bistability at hundred microwatt power level. Due to the extended evanescent field and small mode volumes, polymeric nanobeam cavities are ideal platform for ultra-sensitive biochemical sensing. We demonstrate that these sensors have figures of merit (FOM=9190) two orders of magnitude greater than surface plasmon resonance based sensors, and outperform the commercial Biacore (TM) sensors. The demonstration of high-Q cavity in low-index-contrast polymers can open up versatile applications using a broad range of functional and flexible polymeric materials.en-USJournal Article2019-10-0310.1364/OE.19.022191