Plasmon resonant particles, methods and apparatus

US6180415A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Sheldon Schultz · Village of La Jolla, US
• David Schultz · Savage, US
• David R. Smith · Durham, US
• Jack J. Mock · Durham, US
• Thomas J. Silva · Golden, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 20, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2001
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S436/805
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for interrogating a target having a plurality of plasmon resonant particles (PREs) distributed in the target are disclosed. In the method, a field containing the target is illuminated, and one or more spectral emission characteristics of the light-scattering particles in the field are detected. From this data, an image of positions and spectral characteristic values in the field is constructed, allowing PREs with a selected spectral signature to be discriminated from other light-scattering entities, to provide information about the field. Also disclosed are a novel PRE composition for use in practicing the method, and a variety of diagnostic applications of the method.