Localized surface plasmon sensor chips, processes for producing the same, and sensors using the same

摘要

A first sensor chip (10) comprises a layer-shaped base body (11,12), which has a plurality of fine holes (12a) formed in one surface (12b), and fine metal particles (13), each of which is loaded in one of the fine holes (12a) of the base body (11,12). At least a part of each of the fine metal particles (13) is exposed to a side of the layer-shaped base body (11,12), which side is more outward than the one surface (12b) of the layer-shaped base body. The layer-shaped base body (11,12) may be constituted of anodic oxidation alumina. The sensor chip (10) constitutes a sensor utilizing localized plasmon resonance, with which a state of binding of a sensing medium with a specific substance is capable of being detected quickly and with a high sensitivity due to a larger coupling surface of the metal particles with the sensing medium. A second sensor chip is preferably constituted of polystyrene for reducing optical noise due to non-specific adsorption. A fine structure body comprising a thin metal film formed on the surface between the fine holes provides electric multipole coupling additional to the plasmon resonance of the metal particles. <IMAGE>