Plasmonic Cavity Structure for Single-Particle Optical Interrogation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical signal interrogation techniques, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), face challenges in handling and isolating individual biological particles like extracellular vesicles for practical commercial use, especially in remote locations, due to difficulties in frequent monitoring and costly analysis.
Innovation Solution
A floating plasmonic cavity embedded with a 2D material layer at the bottom, sized to capture and retain particles for observation, using an insulating layer to protect and enhance light-matter interaction, suitable for use with transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2, which are biocompatible and stable at room temperature, allowing for flexible substrate adaptation and array implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is used to acquire information about individual particles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to challenges in handling and isolating particles
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the sample analysis process by isolating individual particles in separate cavities, allowing each particle to be interrogated independently without the complexity of handling bulk samples. The array of cavities enables parallel processing of multiple particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasmonic cavity acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the interaction between light and individual particles. The cavity enhances the optical signal from trapped particles while providing a controlled environment that simplifies particle handling and isolation.
2Productivity
If remote location analysis is implemented for frequent monitoring, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and reliability worsen due to lengthy and costly analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-contained particle analysis at the point of care through integrated plasmonic cavities that trap and interrogate particles locally. This eliminates the need to send samples to remote locations for lengthy analysis, allowing frequent monitoring to be performed anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from centralized remote analysis to distributed local analysis by implementing portable plasmonic cavity arrays that can be deployed at various locations. This dimensional shift from centralization to distribution enables frequent monitoring without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If plasmonic material layer is placed close to the substrate for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to potential damage to biological particles from electromagnetic interrogation
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer serves as an intermediary between the plasmonic material and the biological particles trapped in the cavity. It provides electromagnetic isolation that protects particles from damage while allowing the compact cavity design to be maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin insulating film provides protection to biological particles while maintaining the compactness of the device. The film is thin enough to allow electromagnetic field penetration for interrogation but sufficient to prevent direct contact and damage between the plasmonic layer and particles.
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
Enables efficient isolation and optical interrogation of individual nanosized particles, including extracellular vesicles, with enhanced sensitivity and flexibility, suitable for widespread use and machine-learning classification, facilitating early disease detection and treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic (e.g., optical) signal interrogation techniques such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
Implementation Method 2
a plasmonic layer supported by the substrate via the insulating layer
Implementation Method 3
a layer of 2D material covering the substrate and defining the bottom of the cavity. The 2D material can be intrinsically attractive to the particle
Implementation Method 4
the insulator layer can also simultaneously provide a spacing between a plasmonic material layer and the attracting layer, which may protect the biological particle from damage
Data Source
AI summary
The optical interrogation device can have a substrate; an insulating layer supported by the substrate; a plasmonic layer supported by the substrate via the insulating layer; a cavity extending across both the plasmonic layer and the insulating layer to a bottom adjacent the substrate, the cavity being sized to receive a particle; and a layer of 2D material covering the substrate and defining the bottom of the cavity. The process of optically interrogating the particle can include the layer of 2D material attracting the particle into the cavity across the upper end, and, while the particle is in the cavity, acquiring an optical signal including a spectral signature of the particle.