Optical Microdisk Refraction for Low-Intensity Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfabricated chips face challenges in efficiently collecting and concentrating low-intensity radiation emitted from reaction chambers, leading to low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and decreased sensing accuracy in applications such as genetic sequencing and protein analysis.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical microdisk made of dielectric material with a higher refractive index than the surrounding medium between the reaction chamber and the sensor, which collects and concentrates emission radiation, enhancing its directionality and intensity towards the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation is emitted from reaction chambers in integrated devices, then analytical measurements can be performed, but the radiation intensity is low resulting in low signal-to-noise ratio and decreased sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
An optical microdisk structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the reaction chamber and sensor. The microdisk collects and concentrates the low-intensity emission radiation from the reaction chamber, directing it toward the sensor to enhance the signal strength and improve the signal-to-noise ratio for more accurate measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The optical microdisk changes the spatial distribution and intensity parameters of the emission radiation. By manipulating the radiation concentration and directionality through the microdisk structure, the effective signal intensity at the sensor is enhanced without altering the fundamental emission process in the reaction chamber
2Productivity
If optical sensors are used to detect emission radiation from reaction chambers, then specimen characteristics can be determined, but low radiation collection efficiency decreases sensing speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The optical microdisk serves as a mediating structure that improves the coupling between the reaction chamber emission and the sensor detection. It concentrates the divergent radiation from the reaction chamber into a more focused beam that efficiently reaches the sensor, reducing radiation loss and improving collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The microdisk structure introduces a three-dimensional optical path modification between the planar reaction chamber and sensor. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions in the microdisk geometry, the radiation is redirected and concentrated along the optical axis toward the sensor, improving collection efficiency
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 optical microdisk significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), resulting in faster and more accurate measurements by improving the collection and concentration of emission radiation, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and speed of biological and chemical analyses.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an optical microdisk made of dielectric material with a higher refractive index than the surrounding medium between the reaction chamber and the sensor, which collects and concentrates emission radiation, enhancing its directionality and intensity towards the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for improving optical signal collection in an integrated device are described. A microdisk can be formed in an integrated device and increase collection and/or concentration of radiation incident on the microdisk and re-radiated by the microdisk. An example integrated device that can include a microdisk may be used for analyte detection and/or analysis. Such an integrated device may include a plurality of pixels, each having a reaction chamber for receiving a sample to be analyzed, an optical microdisk, and an optical sensor configured to detect optical emission from the reaction chamber. The microdisk can comprise a dielectric material having a first index of refraction that is embedded in one or more surrounding materials having one or more different refractive index values.