Optical lightpipe sensor based on surface plasmon resonance
US5822073A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2826
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates in general to SPR sensors in which the sensing element is a planar lightpipe. More specifically, a planar lightpipe sensor configuration for measurement of SPR at a single angle operation is provided. The lightpipe of this sensor is beveled to facilitate coupling of substantially collimated white light, preferably TM polarized white light, at a selected single angle that excites SPR at the sensing area. Angle of incidence on the SPR sensing area is determined by bevel angle used. This embodiment is a zero order sensor in the sense that it allows measurement for a given analyte at only a single angle of incidence. In this embodiment, however, the lightpipe can have a plurality of SPR sensing area across its width to provide for multichannel sensing. Refractive index sensitivity of this configuration is estimated as 4.times.10.sup.-5 RI units.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.