SERS Sensor Film Deterioration via Laser Region Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substance detection methods using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors face challenges in detecting nitrogen monoxide (NO) with high sensitivity due to laser light-induced deterioration of the organic molecular modification film on the sensor chip.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that involve exposing a sensor chip with a metal microstructure and organic molecular modification film to laser light in a controlled manner, where the irradiation region is adjusted after initial measurement to prevent film deterioration, allowing for repeated measurements without saturating the signal, and using a light-blocking filter to manage laser exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor chip is continuously irradiated with laser light for measurement, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the organic molecular modification film deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor chip surface is divided into multiple measurement regions. After one region is irradiated with laser light for measurement, the irradiation is stopped and the laser is redirected to another region, allowing sequential measurement across different areas without continuous exposure to a single region.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser irradiation is performed in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The system alternates between irradiation periods for measurement and non-irradiation periods for film recovery, preventing cumulative damage while maintaining detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the irradiation region is changed by moving the light source or lens, then the measurement can be performed on different regions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the light source or lens to change the irradiation region, the system inverts the approach by keeping the optical components stationary and changing the sensor chip position or orientation to present different regions to the fixed laser beam.
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 enables high-sensitivity detection of NO by preventing film deterioration and reducing the time required to calculate target substance concentration, while accurately determining NO levels in breath samples.
Implementation Method 1
an affinity sensor utilizing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for qualitative and quantitative detection directly from vibrational spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
A target molecule (target substance) is irradiated with linearly polarized excitation light with a single wavelength such as a laser, and scattered light (Raman scattered light) with a wavelength which is shifted from the wavelength of the excitation light by the molecular vibration energy of the target molecule is spectroscopically detected
Implementation Method 3
blocking the first laser light after the performing the first measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A substance detection method includes exposing a sensor chip for surface-enhanced Raman scattering having a metal microstructure and an organic molecular modification film which modifies the metal microstructure to a first gas, irradiating a first region of the sensor chip exposed to the first gas with first laser light, performing first measurement by acquiring the intensity of Raman scattered light from the first region, blocking the first laser light after the performing the first measurement, and adjusting an irradiation region where the sensor chip is irradiated with the first laser light from the first region to a second region which is different from the first region of the sensor chip after the blocking the first laser light.