Photonic Crystal Grating Sensor for Multi-Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current chemical sensors are limited in detecting multiple analytes and often require significant preparation and energy losses, with photonic-based sensors facing challenges in sensitivity and adherence of biological analytes to gratings.

Innovation Solution

The development of photonic-based sensors employing photonic crystal gratings, composed of dielectric or semiconductor materials, which interact with electromagnetic radiation to produce a transmission spectrum for analyte detection, allowing for improved sensitivity and detection of various analytes by adjusting the orientation and frequency of the radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If photonic-based sensors employ traditional metallic or dielectric gratings, then they can detect analytes, but they exhibit significant energy losses and low resonance frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossesVSAvoidsensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite photonic crystal structures combining dielectric materials (such as silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or other dielectric materials) with metallic components to create a hybrid grating system. This composite approach allows the sensor to maintain the low energy losses of dielectric materials while incorporating the high sensitivity and resonance characteristics of metallic structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy loss and sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If photonic-based sensors use traditional gratings, then they can support analyte detection, but biological analytes do not adhere to the gratings effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte adherenceVSAvoidsensor fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary elements such as antibodies, receptors, or other biomolecular components that are immobilized on the photonic crystal grating surface. These intermediaries serve as mediators between the grating structure and biological analytes, facilitating effective adherence and recognition. The intermediaries are designed to specifically bind to target analytes, enabling reliable detection while maintaining manufacturability through standardized immobilization protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If chemical sensors are designed to detect multiple analytes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-analyte detectionVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal photonic crystal grating platform that can detect multiple analytes through a single integrated structure. By utilizing the tunable resonance characteristics of the photonic crystal and employing multiple intermediary elements with different specificities, the same grating structure can recognize and detect various analytes (such as different biological molecules, gases, or chemicals) without requiring separate sensor components for each analyte type, thereby achieving multi-functionality with reduced overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances sensitivity and enables the detection of multiple analytes with higher quality factors, reducing energy dissipation and improving analyte identification, making it more effective than traditional sensors.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnetic radiation interacts with the photonic crystal grating and an analyte situated on or in the photonic crystal grating to produce a transmission spectrum that characterizes the analyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotonic crystal grating interaction: Photonic Crystal

Implementation Method 2

The source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation interacts with the photonic crystal grating and an analyte situated on or in the photonic crystal grating to produce a transmission spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation interaction: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7466410B2Photonic-based sensors and methods for detecting analytes

Publication Date: 2008.12.16 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to analyte detection methods and to photonic-based sensors that employ photonic crystal gratings to detect analytes. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic-based sensor includes a source, a photonic crystal, and a photodetector. The source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation. The photonic crystal includes a photonic crystal grating positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation interacts with the photonic crystal grating and an analyte situated on or in the photonic crystal grating to produce a transmission spectrum that characterizes the analyte. The photodetector is positioned to detect the transmission spectrum.