Nanostructure Pixel Sensor for Analyte Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nanofabrication techniques for plasmonic nanostructures introduce sharp edges and rough surfaces, leading to scattering losses and reduced efficiency in SPR detection, which limits the sensitivity and accuracy of detecting biological, chemical, and biochemical analytes.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructure pixel sensor with a smooth profile periodic array of nanostructures, where the periodic spacing of the nanostructures affects the brightness of the pixels, allowing for image pattern changes to detect and quantify analytes by varying the refractive index, eliminating the need for spectrometers and enhancing sensing ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional nanofabrication techniques are used to create plasmonic nanostructures, then the structures can be manufactured, but sharp edges and rough surfaces are introduced causing scattering losses and reduced SPR detection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp edges and corners with curved surfaces on the plasmonic nanostructures. Specifically, the nanostructures feature rounded corners and edges instead of abrupt geometric transitions, which eliminates scattering losses while maintaining the desired plasmonic resonance properties. This curvature principle directly addresses the surface roughness issue caused by conventional fabrication techniques.
2Reliability
If traditional SPR detection methods are used, then momentum matching can be achieved, but the system requires complex optical setups including prisms, laser sources, and rotation stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex optical components (prisms, rotation stages, laser sources) from the traditional SPR detection system. By using nanostructured pixels with integrated plasmonic resonators that directly couple with broadband light sources, the system achieves momentum matching through the nanostructure geometry itself rather than requiring external optical elements for angle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation stage and angular adjustment mechanisms with static nanostructured pixels having fixed geometric configurations. The momentum matching is achieved through the periodic arrangement and dimensional parameters of the nanostructures rather than mechanical angular adjustment, eliminating moving parts and mechanical complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If periodic nanostructure arrays are used for SPR detection, then enhanced transmission effects can be achieved, but the detection still relies on spectrometers to determine small spectral changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts subtle spectral changes into visible brightness variations of the nanostructure pixels. By designing the periodic spacing and dimensions of the nanostructures to resonate at specific wavelengths, the system translates small refractive index changes into significant changes in light transmission intensity and pixel brightness, making detection possible with simple imaging cameras rather than complex spectrometers.
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 nanostructure pixel sensor achieves enhanced sensitivity and accuracy in detecting analytes by utilizing image patterns and smooth profile nanostructures, minimizing scattering losses and improving plasmonic coupling efficiency, allowing for real-time analysis without the need for complex optical setups.
Implementation Method 1
Light can generate collective oscillations of electrons as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bound to a nanostructure metallic surface. Metallic nanostructures in a certain arrangement can induce a coherent response of SPRs creating localized electromagnetic fields with a specific distribution.
Implementation Method 2
Light transmission through a subwavelength aperture or an array of such apertures, such as nanoholes and nano-slits has been extensively studied recently, and these studies have revealed several unique properties of the manipulation of interactions between light and nanostructures. The technique, based on the extraordinary optical transmission of the subwavelength nanohole array, has demonstrated its sensitivity to detect viruses and observe a single monolayer of antibodies.
Implementation Method 3
Only considering in one dimension along the periodic arrangement, the periodic nanostructure array can be treated as a diffraction grating, which satisfies the general grating equation: mλ=p(sin θi+sin θr), where m is the diffraction order and a light beam with a wavelength of Δ is incident on a diffraction grating with a periodic spacing of p at an angle θi and diffracted at an angle θr.
Implementation Method 4
Incident light interfering with the nanostructures gives rise to an asymmetric Fano resonance in the transmission spectrum. The wavelength shift of the resonance directly corresponds to the changes of the refractive index.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing method for a nanostructure pixel sensor includes shining light from an incident angle onto a nanostructure pixel sensor; capturing an image of nanostructure pixels of the nanostructure pixel sensor; obtaining brightness values of the nanostructure pixels from the image; and determining a presence and/or amount of an analyte based on an image pattern. The nanostructure pixel sensor includes a plurality of the nanostructure pixels. Each of the nanostructure pixels includes periodic nanostructures. At least two nanostructure pixels have different periodic spacings, and the analyte is applied on the nanostructure pixel sensor before capturing the image.