A technique is provided for weakly coupling an absorber to a plasmonic device by placing an isolation layer in between them. This technique enables the spectral selective nature of a plasmonic device to be used in conjunction with an absorber. This technique optimizes the trade-off of near-field coupling and spectral selectivity to allow for deep sub-pixel examination of a scene, and is thus suited for multispectral imagers, among other applications.

An optical device with ordered scatterer arrays for secure identity and a method of producing the same

This invention discloses a method for configurable spatial control and modification of optically active resonantly coupled scatterer arrays to produce identifiable security features and a corresponding photonic secure identity device. The invention comprises at least the steps of (i) producing a deposition template from said master stamp, (ii) synthesis of a plasmonic particle colloid, (iii) producing an optically active, two-dimensional security tag template using self-assembly of said particles on said deposition template, (iv) producing a customized secure identity device from said security tag template by selective removal or modification of optical properties using ultrashort laser pulses. The produced customized plasmonic-photonic device can then be used as secure identity and anti-counterfeiting means. The device exploits customized spatial control and modification of optically active plasmonic particle arrays demonstrating surface lattice resonance optical signature to produce easily identifiable security features.

A plasmonic hierarchical structure according to an embodiment includes a nanogap formed between metal nanoparticles. The nanogap has a width of 1 nm to 100 nm. The metal nanoparticles comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd). The plasmonic hierarchical structure further includes silica (SiO.sub.2) nanoparticles or CdSe quantum dots. A method for producing a plasmonic hierarchical structure according to an embodiment includes: injecting a metal nanoparticle solution into a micropipette; releasing the metal nanoparticle solution by bringing the micropipette into contact with a substrate; and forming a meniscus of the released metal nanoparticle solution, thereby producing a plasmonic hierarchical structure.

Plasmonic optical fibers, plasmonic optical sensors and methods of manufacturing the same. A fiber core conveys an optical signal therewithin and provides a plasmonic sensing area exposed to a fluid. The plasmonic sensing area is formed only on a section of an external surface of the fiber core. The plasmonic sensing area provides an interface within the section of the external surface for the conveyed signal to at least partially exit the fiber core and cause a modified optical signal to be conveyed in the fiber core. An optical signal generator may provide the optical signal to the plasmonic optical fiber, an optical signal receiver may discriminate the conveyed optical signal from the modified optical signal and a processor module may analyze the modified optical signal and identifies physical characteristics of the fluid present at the sensing area.

Provided herein are systems and methods for performing assays. In particular, provided herein are systems and methods for performing sensitive and rapid immunoassays.

The present invention relates to an optical nanostructure sensing device and an image analysis method. The image analysis method includes: illuminating a light beam from a predetermined incident angle onto a nanostructure pixel sensor; capturing images of the nanostructure pixel sensor when applying an analyte on the nanostructure pixel sensor; obtaining a relationship of periodic spacing and brightness from each of the images; and obtaining wavelength values from the relationship of periodic spacing and brightness at a predetermined brightness value; and determining a sensing process based on a wavelength shift of the wavelength values. The nanostructure pixel sensor includes a plurality of the nanostructure pixels, each of the nanostructure pixels includes periodic nanostructures, and the relationship of periodic spacing and brightness is based on the brightness of the nanostructure pixels having different periodic spacings.

Disclosed is a PCR diagnosis apparatus, which includes a transmitter including a multi-wavelength light source for outputting a first light source signal and a second light source signal having different wavelengths, and that applies the first light source signal and the second light source signal to a PCR chip including samples each including a plurality of DNAs, a code generator that generates first code signal and second code signal corresponding to the first light source signal and the second light source signal, respectively, and which are orthogonal to each other, and a receiver that performs a dot product on fluorescent data and each of the first code signal and the second code signal, wherein the fluorescent data include a first fluorescent signal and a second fluorescent signal emitted from a phosphor attached to each of the plurality of DNAs.

Disclosed herein are integrated photonics systems (3800) for biosensing including an interrogator photonic circuit (3802) and cartridge (3804) and methods using these systems. The cartridge (3804) comprises a sensor photonic integrated subcircuit. The cartridge (3804) is configured to receive a biological sample. The interrogator photonic circuit (3802) is optically coupled to the cartridge (3804) an comprises: (i) a light source (3806) configured to generate light; and (ii) one or more waveguides configured to carry the light, wherein the light is used to determine a characteristic of the biological sample in the cartridge (3804). A system can have an assembly of a plurality of modular photonic integrated subcircuits. Each subcircuit can be pre-fabricated and can be configured to transfer light to and receive light from another subcircuit based on the first functionality. An output port of a first subset of the subcircuits can be configured to be aligned with an input port of a second subset of the subcircuits. At least one subcircuit can be configured to be removed from the first integrated photonics assembly and connected to a second integrated photonics assembly having a second functionality. The first integrated photonics assembly can be different from the second integrated photonics assembly and the first functionality can be different from the second functionality.

Sensor chips and devices that incorporate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors are described which are suitable for use in near-patient and point-of-care diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, LSPR sensors are integrated with microfabricated fluidics and other system components to create compact, portable bench-top or hand-held diagnostic testing systems. In some embodiments, all components are packaged in compact, portable wearable devices.

A plasmonic device is disclosed, the plasmonic device having a base substrate and an electrically conductive film formed on the base substrate. The base substrate has a reference upper surface and an arrangement of chiral nanostructures formed in relief from the reference upper surface. Each chiral nanostructure has a nanostructure upper surface which is disposed at a distance of at least 30 nm from the reference upper surface in a thickness direction. The electrically conductive film is formed on the nanostructure upper surface of each chiral nanostructure and on at least part of the reference upper surface of the base substrate. Also disclosed is a method of analysis of a biological material using the plasmonic device, by depositing the biological material onto the plasmonic device and irradiating the plasmonic device and the biological material with electromagnetic radiation. The arrangement of chiral nanostructures and electrically conductive film generates a superchiral electromagnetic field, the effect of the presence of the biological material on the superchiral electromagnetic field then being detected.