Critical angle sensor
US6097479A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/4133
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is an integrated miniaturized biochemical sensor (50) which can be used to make critical angle measurements resulting from the differences in refractive index between the sensor's housing (55) and a given sample (40). In one embodiment, the sensor includes a device platform (111) over which an encapsulating and light transmissive housing (115) is formed to enclose the various sensor components including a light source (105), and a photodetector (107), a signal processing unit (95) and a temperature sensor (95). In another embodiment the housing (115) has a reflective mirrored surface (119) which focuses the light (117) from the light source (105) onto a sensing surface (121) which is in interact with the sample (40) of interest. Light incident from the sensing surface (121) is directed at the photodetector (107,159) which may be an array or single cell. A temperature sensor (95) may also be included and coupled to the platform (111).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.