Biomolecular Junction Sensor Using P-Wave Anti-Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SPR sensors face challenges in measuring the adsorption and dissociation properties of low molecular weight biomaterials due to low sensitivity, errors from refractive index changes in buffer solutions, and high production costs associated with metal thin films, which complicates the analysis of biomaterial junction kinetics.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a microchannel structure with a semiconductor or dielectric substrate, a prism structure, and polarized light to measure biomaterial junction kinetics independently of buffer solution refractive index changes, enhancing sensitivity and reducing production costs by using a dielectric thin film and semiconductor materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional SPR sensor using metal thin film is used, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the production cost increases and measurement reliability decreases due to refractive index errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal thin films (gold, silver) with inexpensive semiconductor substrates (silicon) and dielectric materials. This substitution dramatically reduces production costs while maintaining the sensor's functionality for measuring biomaterial adsorption and dissociation kinetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical measurement parameters by operating at the P-wave anti-reflection condition instead of relying on surface plasmon resonance. This parameter change enables the use of cheaper materials while achieving comparable or superior measurement precision for low molecular weight biomaterials.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional SPR sensor is used, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but measurement reliability decreases due to refractive index changes in buffer solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement into two independent components: (1) measurement of biomaterial adsorption/dissociation kinetics at the P-wave anti-reflection condition, and (2) separate measurement of buffer solution refractive index changes. This segmentation allows independent correction of refractive index effects, significantly improving measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the refractive index of the buffer solution is continuously monitored and used to correct the biomaterial measurement data in real-time. This feedback loop eliminates measurement errors caused by refractive index changes, enhancing reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional reflectometry is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but detection sensitivity decreases for low molecular weight biomaterials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms conventional reflectometry into a high-sensitivity technique by operating at the P-wave anti-reflection condition. This parameter change (specific incident angle and polarization) amplifies the sensitivity to thin film thickness changes, enabling detection of low molecular weight biomaterials while maintaining ease of manufacture using standard semiconductor substrates.
4Measurement precision
If an ellipsometer is used, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but measurement reliability decreases without independent refractive index correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ellipsometry measurement into two independent measurement channels: one for biomaterial kinetics and another for refractive index. This segmentation allows simultaneous high-sensitivity measurement of both parameters, enabling reliable correction of refractive index effects while maintaining detection sensitivity.
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
This approach allows for high-sensitivity measurement of biomaterial junction kinetics while accurately accounting for buffer solution refractive index changes, reducing measurement errors and production costs, and enabling reliable analysis of biomaterial properties.
Implementation Method 1
allowing polarized incident light to be received on a biomaterial adsorption layer, which is formed on a substrate such as a semiconductor and the like, so as to meet a P-wave anti-reflection condition by using a prism structure and a microchannel
Implementation Method 2
Reflectometry and ellipsometry are light analysis techniques that measure a change in reflective index or polarization of light reflected from a surface of a sample
Implementation Method 3
The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is that electrons present on a metal surface are excited by light waves to cause collective vibration in a normal direction of the surface and absorb light energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for simultaneously measuring, in an immersion microchannel environment, the characteristics of molecular junctions such as a low-molecular-weight biomaterial and the like and the refractive index of a buffer solution by using ellipsometry. Specifically, disclosed is an apparatus for simultaneously measuring, with high sensitivity, the change in refractive index of a buffer solution and the junction dynamic characteristics of a biomaterial by allowing polarized incident light to be received at a biomaterial adsorption layer, which is formed on a substrate such as a semiconductor and the like, so as to meet an anti-reflection condition of a P-wave by using a prism structure and a microchannel; and a measurement method using the same.