LSPR Optical Fiber Biosensor Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) sensing systems are bulky, expensive, and difficult to miniaturize, limiting their portability and ease of use in biosensing applications, while they require complex optical setups and high refractive index prisms or gratings for light coupling.
Innovation Solution
A localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing system using noble metal nano-particles on an optical fiber, which eliminates the need for bulky optics and prisms, allowing for miniaturization and enhanced sensitivity through intrinsic resonance phenomena, coupled with a micro-fluidic chip for sample handling and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) sensing systems are used, then high sensitivity detection is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sensing function from the bulky PSPR system by using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with metal nanoparticles. The LSPR effect confines the electromagnetic field to a localized region around the nanoparticles, eliminating the need for extended optical paths and large coupling prisms, thus achieving miniaturization while maintaining detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resonance mode from propagating surface plasmon resonance to localized surface plasmon resonance by altering the physical state and configuration of the metal structure. This parameter change transforms the system from a bulk optical setup to a nanoparticle-based localized resonance system, enabling compact design without sacrificing measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If conventional PSPR sensing systems are used, then high sensitivity detection is achieved, but the optical setup becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex optical coupling components (prisms, gratings, beam splitters) from the PSPR system by utilizing the intrinsic localized resonance of metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles themselves serve as both the sensing element and the resonance generator, eliminating the need for separate coupling optics and simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The metal nanoparticles in the LSPR system generate their own resonant electromagnetic fields when illuminated, eliminating the need for external coupling mechanisms. The nanoparticles self-generate the necessary field confinement and enhancement effects, making the system simpler and more cost-effective while maintaining high detection sensitivity
3Productivity
If conventional PSPR sensing systems are used, then real-time bio-molecular interaction detection is achieved, but sample and reagent consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the sensing function at the nanoscale level around individual metal nanoparticles. This localized approach creates intense electromagnetic fields confined to a tiny volume, enabling highly sensitive detection in minimal sample volumes while maintaining real-time detection capability for bio-molecular interactions
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 LSPR system achieves high sensitivity and rapid bio-molecular interaction detection with reduced sample and reagent consumption, enabling portable and disposable biosensing with simplified optical designs and reduced analysis time.
Implementation Method 1
localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing system via excitation of noble metal nano-particles when compared with the conventional propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) sensing system
Implementation Method 2
For an optical fiber modified with noble metal nano-particles on the exposed surface of its core, the light at the resonant frequency will interact with the nano-particles to excite the LSPR at the position of each reflection interface
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system comprises a light source, an optical fiber, a plurality of noble metal nano-particles, a micro-fluidic module and a photo detector. The optical fiber couples an incident light. The plurality of noble metal nano-particles are disposed on a surface of the optical fiber to form a noble metal nano-particle submonolayer, the noble metal nano-particles are substantially separated from each adjacent noble metal nano-particles such that the conductivity of the noble metal nano-particle submonolayer is smaller than that of a metal film. The micro-fluidic module accommodates the optical fiber and a sample, and the sample is driven to contact with the noble metal nano-particles. The photo detector detects an emergent light from the optical fiber. When the incident light interacts with the noble metal nano-particles, a signal derived from localized surface plasmon resonance in form of attenuated light or elastic scattered light is outputted through the photo detector.