NANOSTRUCTURE BIOSENSORS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

摘要

A sensor scheme combining nano-photonics and nano-fluidics on a single platform through the use of free-standing photonic crystals and nanoplasmonic arrays is described. By harnessing nanoscale openings, both fluidics and light can be manipulated at sub-wavelength scales. The convective flow is actively steered through the nanohole openings for effective delivery of the analytes to the sensor surface, and refractive index changes are detected in aqueous solutions. Systems and methods using cross-polarization measurements to further improve the detection limit by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio are also described.