Optical Fiber SERS Probe with Graphene-Coated Nano-Pyramids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Raman spectroscopy techniques have low sensitivity, making them unsuitable for detecting small molecule concentrations, and current SERS methods are not suitable for in-vivo applications due to requirements for multiple components, oxidation issues, and high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe with an enhanced surface featuring a patterned base layer of nano-pyramids, an intermediate gold layer, and a graphene layer, integrated into an optical fiber for self-contained SERS, increasing sensitivity and chemical stability, and enabling in-vivo molecule detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional Raman spectroscopy is used, then the technique is simple and widely applicable, but the sensitivity is low and cannot detect small molecule concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source, enhanced surface, and collection optics into an integrated optical fiber probe. The optical fiber delivers excitation light to the enhanced surface at its tip and collects the scattered light, merging multiple components into a single compact device that achieves high sensitivity without complex external instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an enhanced surface as an intermediary between the light and the sample molecules. This enhanced surface, with its nano-pyramid structure, amplifies the Raman scattering signal through surface plasmon resonance, enabling detection of trace molecules that would otherwise be undetectable by conventional Raman spectroscopy.
2Measurement precision
If current SERS techniques are used, then the detection sensitivity is high, but the system requires multiple components arranged in specific fashion requiring large space, precluding in-vivo use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light delivery system, enhanced surface, and signal collection into a single optical fiber probe. This merging of components creates a compact, portable device that can be inserted into the body for in-vivo molecular detection without requiring large external instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional bulky SERS system into a miniaturized optical fiber-based platform. By confining the enhanced surface to the tip of the optical fiber and using the fiber itself for light delivery and collection, the system achieves the functionality of a complete SERS setup in a highly compact form factor suitable for medical applications.
3Measurement precision
If nano-patterned metal surface is used for SERS, then the sensitivity is enhanced, but the surface suffers from oxidation and degradation over time, decreasing scattered light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a gold layer deposited on a silicon oxide nano-pyramid array. This composite material combines the plasmonic properties of gold for signal enhancement with the chemical stability and oxidation resistance of silicon oxide, creating a surface that maintains high scattered light intensity over time without degradation.
4Measurement precision
If nano-patterned metal surface is used for SERS, then the sensitivity is improved, but the manufacturing is difficult on large scale, resulting in high cost and low reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from conventional metals to a gold-silicon oxide composite structure with specific nano-pyramid geometry. This parameter change enables compatibility with standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, allowing large-scale manufacturing with high reproducibility while maintaining the plasmonic enhancement needed for sensitive detection.
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 enhanced surface increases SERS sensitivity and chemical stability, allowing for the detection of low molecule concentrations and single molecules, and facilitates in-vivo applications with improved reproducibility and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
The intensity of the spectrum of scattered light reflected from the sample on or near the nano-patterned metal surface can be much higher than that obtained using a traditional Raman spectroscopy technique
Implementation Method 2
Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic technique widely used to identify molecules and study rotational and vibrational modes in molecular systems
Implementation Method 3
the nano-patterned metal surface used in current SERS techniques often suffers from oxidation and/or other degradation problems over time
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe includes an optical fiber with a first end and a second end, and an enhanced surface on a portion of the first end of the optical fiber. The enhanced surface includes a patterned base layer including multiple protruding nano-pyramids, an intermediate layer over the patterned base layer, and a graphene layer over the intermediate layer. Using a layer of graphene to cover the enhanced surface increases the sensitivity of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) process performed in conjunction with the enhanced surface, and further increases the chemical stability and bio-compatibility of the enhanced surface. Further, placing the enhanced surface at the end of the optical fiber provides a self-contained probe for use with a SERS process, thereby allowing for in-vivo characterization of a sample.