  We present a sensor capable of detecting solution-based nanoparticles using
an optical fiber tip functionalized with a photonic crystal cavity. When sensor
tips are retracted from a nanoparticle solution after being submerged, we find
that a combination of convective fluid forces and optically-induced trapping
cause an aggregation of nanoparticles to form directly on cavity surfaces. A
simple readout of quantum dot photoluminescence coupled to the optical fiber
shows that nanoparticle presence and concentration can be detected through
modified cavity properties. Our sensor can detect both gold and iron oxide
nanoparticles and can be utilized for molecular sensing applications in
biomedicine.
