SBIR Phase I: Optical Mode Conversion for Chemical and Biological Sensing and Analysis

这个小企业创新一期研究项目提出了一种基于倏逝场和互补分子振动光谱方法的新型诊断工具，用于快速检测和分析溶液和空气中的有害生物和化学目标。该方法的主要特点是使用了倏逝场表面增强拉曼光谱（SERS）和主动积分探头，通过在主动传感器区域控制光学模移产生最大的传播激励信号的倏逝场。研究人员建议开发平面波导机制的设计和制造方法，以在指定的光程长度内可逆和可控地在光学模式之间传递光子能量。传感器元件将连接到拉曼识别系统，以获取拉曼和荧光信号。传感器-环境界面处的消失场将与吸附在表面或表面附近的生物和化学分子相互作用。拟议的环境污染传感器系统的潜在商业应用包括通过使用光纤传输或无线网络的传感器信号到分析硬件，在各种各样的远程位置观察污染水平的可能性；危险工业环境实时监测设备的研制检测在商业/工业化学品储存和运输地点泄漏的有毒工业化学品；住宅和商业建筑自来水污染水平实时扫描系统的开发。

This Small Business Innovation Phase I research project proposes a novel diagnostic tool based upon evanescent field and complementary molecular vibrational spectroscopy methods for rapid detection and analysis of hazardous biological and chemical targets in solution and air. The main characteristic of the proposed approach is the use of evanescent field Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and an active integrating probe with maximized evanescent field of propagating excitation signal created by controlled optical mode shifting in the active sensor region. The investigators propose to develop designs and fabrication methods for planar waveguide mechanisms to reversibly and controllably transfer photonic energy between optical modes within a specified path length. The sensor element will be attached to a Raman identification system to obtain Raman and fluorescence signals. The evanescent field at the sensor-environment interface will interact with biological and chemical molecules adsorbed onto or near the surface.Potential commercial applications of the proposed sensor system for environmental contamination include the possibility of contamination level observation in a large variety of remote locations by the use of fiber optic transmission or wireless network of sensor signals to analytical hardware; development of real-time monitoring equipment for hazardous industrial environments; detection of toxic industrial chemicals spills in commercial/industrial chemical storage and transport locations; and development of the real-time scanning system of the tap water contamination levels in residential and commercial buildings.