Waveguide-based sensor
US8154716B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/7786
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor for sensing a target chemical with high signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a sensing region that is optically coupled with an attenuation region. The sensing region receives optical stimulation that comprises light characterized by an excitation wavelength. In response to exposure to the target chemical, the sensing region fluoresces at a fluorescence wavelength. The attenuation region receives light from the fluorescing sensing region that includes light characterized by the fluorescence wavelength (i.e., signal) and light characterized by the excitation wavelength (i.e., noise). The attenuation region conveys the light to a detector that provides an electrical output signal based on the target chemical. While conveying the light, however, the attenuation region improves the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating light characterized by the excitation wavelength more than light characterized by the fluorescence region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.