Analytical Biochip Nanowell Optics for Wider Emission Light Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical biochips face challenges in efficiently collecting and enhancing the emission light from nanowells, particularly in detecting biomolecules tagged with fluorescent tags, due to limitations in light collection efficiency and propagation of excitation energy.
Innovation Solution
The biochip design includes a substrate, lower and upper cladding layers, a waveguide with a grating coupler, and an emission light collection element with metal protrusion structures, which guides excitation energy to nanowells and enhances light collection by diffraction and focusing, using a light focusing monitor to capture a broader range of emitted light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional light collection methods are used, then the device structure is simple, but the light collection efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The emission light collection element introduces a new dimensional component (protrusion structures extending into the upper cladding layer) to collect light from broader cone angles. This vertical protrusion structure adds a third dimension to light collection, capturing light that would otherwise be lost, thereby significantly improving light collection efficiency without merely extending existing planar structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The emission light collection element acts as an intermediary between the nanowells and the detection system. It includes lower protrusion structures that extend into the upper cladding layer to collect emitted light and upper protrusion structures (gratings) that redirect this light toward the detection area, serving as a mediating component that enhances light collection efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If excitation energy is directly delivered to nanowells, then the excitation process is efficient, but the uniform distribution of excitation energy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is segmented into multiple guiding portions that distribute excitation energy to different nanowell regions. The grating coupler further segments the excitation into multiple orders, and the guiding portions act as distributed channels to deliver excitation energy uniformly across the nanowell array, preventing hotspots and ensuring even illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding portions are positioned and dimensioned to provide localized excitation energy delivery to specific nanowell regions. By adjusting the parameters of different guiding portions, the system achieves uniform excitation distribution across the biochip, with each region receiving appropriate excitation intensity based on its specific requirements.
3Measurement precision
If a broader range of emitted light is captured, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the light collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The emission light collection element uses vertical protrusion structures that extend into the upper cladding layer to capture light from broader cone angles. This three-dimensional structure enables collection of light that would otherwise be lost, simultaneously improving both detection sensitivity (by capturing more emitted light) and light collection efficiency (by redirecting this light toward the detection area).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly improves light collection efficiency by capturing light from a wider cone angle, allowing for more effective detection of biomolecules through enhanced emission light collection and uniform distribution of excitation energy across the biochip.
Implementation Method 1
The grating coupler is configured to receive excitation energy from an excitation source
Implementation Method 2
the guiding portion is configured to guide the excitation energy
Implementation Method 3
the fluorescent tags of the samples in the plurality of nanowells to absorb the excitation energy and emit light
Implementation Method 4
the emission light collection element is made of metal... configured to enhance light collection by diffraction and focusing
Data Source
AI summary
An analytical biochip includes a substrate, a lower cladding layer, a waveguide, an upper cladding layer, an emission light collection element and a plurality of nanowells. The lower cladding layer is over the substrate. The waveguide is over the lower cladding layer. The upper cladding layer is over the waveguide. The emission light collection element is over the upper cladding layer, wherein the emission light collection element includes lower protrusion structures extending into the upper cladding layer, and the emission light collection element is made of metal. The nanowells penetrate the emission light collection element and are in the upper cladding layer.