Optoelectronic probe

a technology of optoelectronic probes and probes, applied in the direction of liquid/fluent solid measurement, peptides, test/measurement of semiconductor/solid device, etc., can solve the problems of difficult analysis of impedance spectroscopy and extreme complexity

US20060175192A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-10LIN HAIAN
13 Cites 23 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-08-10
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

Smart Images

  • Figure 1
    Figure 1
  • Figure 2
    Figure 2
  • Figure 3
    Figure 3
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention, referred to as optoelectronic probe, concerns a novel apparatus and method for characterization and micromanipulation of particles or biomolecules in an electrolyte solution. Electric fields, which include both time constant and time-varying components, are applied to a thin insulating layer covered, lightly doped semiconductor material. Illumination injects carriers into the insulator / semiconductor interface to compensate the leaking minority carrier current and maintain an inversion layer, which works as an electrode to control the particle movements. A particle array, or even a single cell, can be assembled in, or moved along with the inversion layer electrode, which is induced by illumination. Furthermore, an impedance analyzer is utilized to characterize the trapped particles, or single cell. The present invention has numerous uses, such as bio-chemical analysis systems, and nanosize structures assembly for electronic or optical devices.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention is directed generally to methods and apparatus based on optoelectronic effect, electro / dielectro-phoresis, and impedance spectroscopy, in order to trap, move, deform and characterize particles, such as cells, molecules, any type of colloids, any of inorganic and bio-organic substances, beads, as well as pucks and like small things. “Optoelectronic Probe” refers to the invention described herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] I. Optical Tweezers

[0006] The manipulation of micro- or nano-size particles is considered as the key for the new generation of photonic, optoelectronic, and electronic devices, as well as biochemical analysis systems. Optica...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042] The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for the carrying out of the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

I. Optoelectronic Probe

[0043]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. An optical microscope, represented by reference number 100, can be used to observe and record the particle manipulation process. The top electrode of the “sandwich” electrochemical cell is formed by a glass slide 110 coated by an optically transparent conducting thin film, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) 120. This kind of transparent conducting electrode is commercially available. A spacer (typically thick ˜50 μm), represented by reference number 130, is formed by polymer film with a hole in the center. Reference numeral 140 denotes a layer of thin ox...