Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a sensing application includes a body having a cavity containing an opening. The apparatus also includes a plurality of nano-fingers positioned in the cavity and a destructible cover covering the opening in the cavity to protect the plurality of nano-fingers, wherein the destructible cover is to be destroyed to enable access to the plurality of nano-fingers.
Abstract:
A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus employs a nanorod in an indentation in a surface of a substrate. The SERS apparatus includes the nanorod having a tip at a free end opposite to an end of the nanorod that is supported by the substrate indentation. The indentation has a tapered profile and supports the nanorod at a bottom of the indentation. The free end of the nanorod extends away from the indentation bottom. The SERS apparatus further includes a Raman-active material at a surface of one or both of the nanorod and the indentation. The indentation and the nanorod facilitate one or both of production and detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by an analyte in a vicinity of the nanorod and indentation.
Abstract:
A probe for use in a sensing application includes an elongate body having a first end and a free end, wherein the first end is to be attached to a support. The probe also includes a plurality of nano-fingers having respective bases and tips, wherein each of the plurality of nano-fingers is attached to the free end and is composed of a flexible material, and wherein the plurality of nano-fingers are collapsed toward each other such that the tips of the plurality of nano-fingers are substantially in contact with each other.
Abstract:
A metallic-nanofinger device for chemical sensing. The device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers. A nanofinger includes a flexible column, and a metallic cap coupled to an apex of the flexible column. At least the nanofinger and a second nanofinger are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with at least one analyte molecule disposed between at least the metallic cap and a second metallic cap of respective nanofinger and second nanofinger. A morphology of the metallic cap is to generate a shifted plasmonic-resonance peak associated with amplified luminescence from the analyte molecule. A coating encapsulating the metallic cap to respond upon exposure to a liquid, and a chemical-sensing chip including the metallic-nanofinger device are also provided.
Abstract:
A reconfigurable surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a stimulus responsive material to move nanorods of a plurality between inactive and active configurations. The apparatus includes the plurality of nanorods and the stimulus responsive material. The system further includes a Raman signal detector. The method of reconfigurable SERS includes providing the plurality of nanorods and exposing the stimulus responsive material to a stimulus. The exposure causes a change in one or more of a size, a shape and a volume of the stimulus responsive material that moves the nanorods between the inactive and active configurations. The active configuration facilitates one or both of production and detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by the analyte.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing SERS includes a substrate and flexible nano-fingers, each of the nano-fingers having a first end attached to the substrate, a free second end, and a body portion extending between the first end and the second end, in which the nano-fingers are arranged in an array on the substrate. The apparatus also includes an active material layer disposed on each of the second ends of the plurality of nano-fingers, in which the nano-fingers are to be in a substantially collapsed state in which the active layers on at least two of the nano-fingers contact each other under dominant attractive forces between the plurality of nano-fingers and in which the active material layers are to repel each other when the active material layers are electrostatically charged.
Abstract:
A luminescent chemical sensor integrated with at least one molecular trap. The luminescent chemical sensor includes at least one molecular trap and at least one metallic-nanofinger device integrated with at least one molecular trap. The molecular trap includes a plurality of electrodes that trap at least one analyte molecule. The metallic-nanofinger device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers coupled with the substrate. A nanofinger of the plurality includes a flexible column, and a metallic cap coupled to an apex of the flexible column. At least the nanofinger and a second nanofinger of the plurality of nanofingers are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with the analyte molecule. A method for using, and a chemical-analysis apparatus including the luminescent chemical sensor are also provided.
Abstract:
An asymmetrical-nanofinger device for surface-enhanced luminescence. The device includes a substrate, and a plurality of nanofingers coupled with the substrate. The plurality of nanofingers includes a primary nanofinger having a primary active-material cap, and a secondary nanofinger having a secondary active-material cap. An average diameter of the primary active-material cap is substantially greater than an average diameter of the secondary active-material cap. The primary nanofinger and secondary nanofinger of the plurality of nanofingers are to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with an analyte molecule disposed between the primary active-material cap and the secondary active-material cap. A method for fabricating the asymmetrical-nanofinger device, and an optical apparatus including an optical component that includes the asymmetrical-nanofinger device are also provided.
Abstract:
A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) apparatus, system and method employ a plurality of nanorods configured to vibrate. The apparatus includes the nanorods having tips at free ends opposite an end attached to a substrate. The tips are configured to adsorb an analyte and to vibrate at a vibration frequency. The apparatus further includes a vibration source configured to vibrate the free ends of the nanorods at the vibration frequency in a back-and-forth motion. Vibration of the nanorods is configured to facilitate detection of a Raman scattering signal emitted by the analyte adsorbed on the nanorod tips. The system further includes a synchronous detector configured to receive the Raman signal and to be gated cooperatively with the vibration of the nanorods. The method includes inducing a vibration of the nanorods, illuminating the vibrating tips to produce a Raman signal, and detecting the Raman signal using the detector.
Abstract:
A multi-pillar structure for molecular analysis is provided. The structure comprises at least two nanopoles, each nanopole attached at one end to a substrate and freely movable along its length. The opposite ends of the at least two nanopoles are each capable of movement toward each other to trap at least one analyte molecule at their opposite ends. Each nanopole is coated with a metal coating. An array of such multi-pillar structures is also provided. A method for preparing the multi-pillar structure is further provided.