GCI is based on phase-shifting waveguide interferometry. Light of the sensing arm of the interferometer is coupled into a monomode waveguide through a first grating, and undergoes a phase change until it reaches a second grating, depending on the local refractive index within the evanescent field (see image). The second grating is used for coupling in light of the reference arm of the interferometer, and interference created by the superposition of the sensing and reference waves after the second grating translates the phase changes into an intensity modulation. By rapid phase modulation of one of the arms using a liquid crystal element, and thanks to the long interaction length with the sample, extremely high sensitivities with respect to surface refractive index can be achieved even at acquisition rates above 10 Hz. Since the interference is created on chip and not through free-space propagation, a high robustness with respect to ambient disturbances such as vibrations or temperature changes is achieved.