Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to plasmonic electric-field concentrators and to systems incorporating the plasmonic electric-field concentrators to perform Raman spectroscopy. In one aspect, a plasmonic electric-field concentrator comprises two or more large features, and a relatively small feature similar in shape to large features positioned adjacent to the two or more large features. The features are arranged so that when light of an appropriate wavelength is incident on the features, surface plasmon polaritons form on the outer surfaces of the features. The surface plasmon polaritons have associated electric fields extending perpendicular to the surfaces of the features. The electric fields are concentrated in the space between features forming an electric field hot spot that enhances Raman scattered light emitted from an analyte proximate to or absorbed on the features.
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 structure for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy is disclosed herein. A substrate has a stack configured vertically thereon. The stack encompasses at least two metal layers and at least one dielectric layer therebetween. Each layer of the stack has a controlled thickness, and each of the at least two metal layers is configured to exhibit a predetermined characteristic of plasmonic resonance.
Abstract:
A type and polarization selective device for Raman spectroscopy includes a set of at least two antennas and a gap at their intersection. First antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for first or second (different from the first) polarization, at a predetermined stimulation frequency of a material for which Raman scattering is to be studied, or at a Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency corresponding with the material when excited at stimulation frequency. Second antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for the other of second or first polarization, at the Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or anti-Stokes frequency, or at the anti-Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or Stokes frequency, or at the stimulation frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency.
Abstract:
A sensor array for sensing at least one of chemical moieties and biological moieties is provided. The sensor array comprises a plurality of working electrodes electrically associated with a reference electrode, each working electrode in combination with the reference electrode forming a transducer. Each working electrode is provided with a coating of a sensing element comprised of an ionizable moiety and a functional group sensitive to one of the chemical and/or biological moieties.
Abstract:
A method of forming an electrical interconnect, which includes a first electrode, an interlayer of a programmable material disposed over at least a portion of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the programmable material at a non-zero angle relative to the first electrode. The interlayer includes a modified region having differing electrical properties than the rest of the interlayer, sandwiched at the junction of the first electrode and the second electrode. The interlayer may be exposed to a focused beam to form the modified region.
Abstract:
A method of positioning a catalyst nanoparticle that facilitates nanowire growth for nanowire-based device fabrication employs a structure having a vertical sidewall formed on a substrate. The methods include forming the structure, forming a targeted region in a surface of either the structure or the substrate, and forming a catalyst nanoparticle in the targeted region using one of a variety of techniques. The techniques control the position of the catalyst nanoparticle for subsequent nanowire growth. A resonant sensor system includes a nanowire-based resonant sensor and means for accessing the nanowire. The sensor includes an electrode and a nanowire resonator. The electrode is electrically isolated from the substrate. One or more of the substrate is electrically conductive, the nanowire resonator is electrically conductive, and the sensor further comprises another electrode. The nanowire resonator responds to an environmental change by displaying a change in oscillatory behavior.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to an edge deletion module positioned within an automated solar cell fabrication line. The edge deletion module may include a grinding wheel device for removing material from edge regions of a solar cell device and cleaning the edge regions of the solar cell device after removing the material. The edge deletion module may also include an abrasive element, a portion of which is ground as it is periodically, laterally advanced toward the grinding wheel device. A controller is provided for controlling the operation and function of various facets of the module.
Abstract:
Various aspects of the present invention are directed to photonic devices configured to control transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a resonator structure. In one aspect of the present invention, a photonic device includes at least one electromagnetic resonator and a state-change material operably coupled to the at least one electromagnetic resonator. The state-change material is capable of being reversibly transitioned between a high-resistivity state and a low-resistivity state, with a ratio of the resistivity of the high-resistivity state to the resistivity of the low-resistivity state being at least about 100. Transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the at least one electromagnetic resonator at an operational frequency is controllable by transitioning the state-change material between the high-resistivity state and the low-resistivity state. Methods for controlling transmission of a signal are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and related methods for facilitating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is described. A SERS-active structure near which a plurality of analyte molecules is disposed is periodically deformed at an actuation frequency. A synchronous measuring device synchronized with the actuation frequency receives Raman radiation scattered from the analyte molecules and generates therefrom at least one Raman signal measurement.