Biosensor comprising waveguide

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016299077-A1
Application number	US-201415100346-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 25, 2014
Priority date	Dec 3, 2013
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical device ( 110 ) and a corresponding detection apparatus ( 100 ) that may for example be used for monitoring the replication of nucleotide sequences at a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the optical device ( 110 ) comprises a waveguide substrate ( 130 ) with a wiregrid ( 140 ) on a bottom surface ( 132 ), wherein apertures ( 141 ) of the wiregrid are in at least one direction (x) smaller than a characteristic wavelength (λ) of input light (IL). Moreover, a diffractive structure ( 120 ) is disposed on the opposite surface ( 131 ) of the substrate ( 130 ) for coupling input light (IL) into the substrate ( 130 ) such that constructive interference occurs at the apertures ( 141 ). Thus evanescent waves can be generated with high efficiency in these apertures, allowing for example for a surface-specific excitation of fluorescence (FL) that can be sensed by a detector ( 160 ).

First claim

1 . An optical device for processing input light that is associated with a characteristic wavelength, comprising:
a waveguide substrate with a first surface and a second surface; a reflective structure disposed on the first surface; and a perforated structure disposed on the second surface that comprises apertures having in at least one direction a diameter that is smaller than the characteristic wavelength; wherein the reflective structure comprises a diffractive structure that allows diffracting light to enter the substrate from outside into the substrate and reflecting light to propagate in the substrate.

2 . A detection apparatus, comprising:
an optical device for processing input light that is associated with a characteristic wavelength, including: a waveguide substrate with a first surface and a second surface; a reflective structure disposed on the first surface; and a perforated structure disposed on the second surface that comprises apertures having in at least one direction a diameter that is smaller than the characteristic wavelength, wherein the reflective structure comprises a diffractive structure that allows diffracting light to enter the substrate from outside into the substrate and reflecting light to propagate in the substrate; a light source for emitting the input light into the optical device; and a light detector for detecting light coming from the optical device.

3 . A method for processing input light associated with a characteristic wavelength, method comprising:
propagating the input light in a waveguide substrate via a reflective structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate, such that the input light reaches apertures of a perforated structure on a second surface of said substrate, wherein the reflective structure comprises a diffractive structure; diffracting the input light entering the substrate from outside into the substrate; and reflecting the input light propagating in the substrate.

4 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein constructive interference of the input light occurs at the apertures of the perforated structure.

5 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the diffractive structure comprises a phase grating.

6 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide substrate comprises a dielectric layer.

7 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the apertures of the perforated structure is a zero-mode waveguide.

8 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the perforated structure comprises a wire grid.

9 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the input light is polarized, such that the polarization direction is perpendicular to the direction of the diameter that is smaller than the characteristic wavelength.

10 . The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein the perforated structure comprises application-specific substances.

11 . Use of the optical device of claim 1 for sequencing nucleic acids, molecular diagnostics, biological sample analysis, chemical sample analysis, food analysis, and/or forensic analysis.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Schleipen Johannes Joseph Hubertina Barbara
• Wimberger-Friedl Reinhold
• Van Der Zaag Pieter Jan
• Urbach Hendrik Paul
• Sarkar Mitradeep

Classifications

• G01N2201/06113

  Coherent sources; lasers · CPC title

• G01N21/648 Primary

  using evanescent coupling or surface plasmon coupling for the excitation of fluorescence · CPC title

• C12Q1/6869

  Methods for sequencing · CPC title

• G01N21/7743

  the reagent-coated grating coupling light in or out of the waveguide · CPC title

• G01N21/6452

  Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates · CPC title