Resonant periodic structures and methods of using them as filters and sensors
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Publication Number
US-10801956-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to the field of surface waves based optical devices particularly tuneable optical filter, optical biosensors and spatial light modulators. An optical sensor and tuneable filter is disclosed based on high contrast periodic structures deposited on a substrate and using a compact reading method for low detection limit using a one dimensionally diverging quasi-monochromatic beam and a camera.
Core Innovation
An optical device is provided for detecting and quantifying a target biological or chemical compound in a sample and measuring a refractive index of the sample. The device irradiates a periodic structure using an excitation light source emitting a linearly-polarized light beam and filters the sample interaction using the periodic structure for sensing the target compound. The periodic structure produces resonance behavior associated with reflection or transmission peaks or dips of the quasi-monochromatic input light beam.
The periodic structure is implemented as a thick grating layer deposited on a substrate, a thin dielectric grating layer deposited on top of a thin conducting film coating a substrate, a stratified periodic stack deposited on a prism or on a substrate, or a periodic stack composed of dielectric/metal/dielectric layers. Plasmonic nanoparticles are spread on top of the selected grating, with a protection layer protecting the plasmonic nanoparticle layer from exposure to the sample, and a binding layer functionalised for binding the target (bio)chemical compound or analyte when the sample is brought into contact with the binding layer.
A readout chain projects input light beam emerging from the periodic structure into an output light beam and transmits the output to tuneable or fixed achromatic wave plates providing at least three phase retardations between TE and TM polarization components. The output polarizer analyses the output beam reflected off or transmitted through the periodic structure and transmits the output light beam to at least one parallel detectors array. The parallel detectors arrays measure optical and angular parameters and transfer optical and angular data to a processor for analysing the optical data and displaying analysed optical data in a readable format, using a center wavelength matched to a reflection peak or dip and a one-dimensionally diverging quasi-monochromatic beam or a wideband collimated beam.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim: clm-00001. It contains multiple enumerated sub-options for the periodic sensing structure and defines the full optical readout chain using TE/TM phase retardations, an output polarizer, parallel detector arrays, and a processor.
Optical device for sensing and measuring sample refractive index
An optical device for detecting and quantifying a target biological or chemical compound in a sample and measuring a refractive index of the sample, comprising an excitation light source emitting a linearly-polarized light beam for irradiating a periodic structure and a periodic structure for sensing said target and filtering.
Periodic structure options with resonance-based filtering and analyte interaction
A periodic structure for sensing said target biological or chemical compound in said sample and filtering, comprising any one of: a thick grating layer; a thin dielectric grating on top of a thin conducting film; a stratified periodic stack on a prism or on a substrate; or a periodic dielectric/metal/dielectric stack.
Plasmonic nanoparticle sensing with protection and binding layers
A layer of plasmonic nanoparticles spread on top of said grating layer, a protection layer for protecting said layer of plasmonic nanoparticles from exposure to said sample, and a binding layer functionalised on top of said protection layer for binding said target (bio)chemical compound or analyte from said sample when the sample is brought into contact with said binding layer.
Polarimetric readout using achromatic wave plates and output polarizer
A screen projecting input light beam emerging from said periodic structure into an output light beam and transmitted to tuneable or fixed achromatic wave plates for providing at least three phase retardations between transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization components; and a tuneable or fixed output polarizer for analysing the output beam reflected off or transmitted through the periodic structure.
Parallel detector array measurement and processor-based optical data display
At least one parallel detectors array for measuring optical and angular parameters of said output light beam and transferring said parameters as optical and angular data to a processor, where the processor analyses the optical data and displays the analysed optical data in a readable format; with input light beam quasi-monochromatic having a centre wavelength corresponding to one of the reflection or transmission peaks or dips and being one-dimensionally diverging mainly in the plane of incidence, or the input light beam being wideband and collimated.
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a resonant periodic-structure optical device that combines periodic grating or stack architectures, plasmonic nanoparticles with protection and binding layers, and a polarimetric readout using achromatic wave plates, an output polarizer, parallel detector arrays measuring optical and angular parameters, and a processor that displays analysed optical data.
Stated Advantages
Real-time detection and quantification of a target biological or chemical compound in a sample by sensing using the periodic structure.
Measuring a refractive index of the sample.
Use of a center wavelength corresponding to one of reflection or transmission peaks or dips of a quasi-monochromatic input light beam for resonance-based measurement.
Less sensitivity of a reference resonance than a main resonance when grating spaces are partially filled with a material having the same refractive index as the substrate.
Polarization-resolved readout through at least three phase retardations between TE and TM polarization components using achromatic wave plates.
Parallel detector array measurement of optical and angular parameters with transfer of optical and angular data to a processor for readable output.
Documented Applications
Optical biosensing and detection/quantification of a target biological or chemical compound in a sample.
Refractive index sensing of a sample using resonance behavior of the periodic structure.
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