Fiber optic surface enhanced Raman sensor for high sensitivity and automatic molecule identification

本研究的目的是开发和展示一种新型的光纤传感器的基础上，表面增强拉曼散射（Sers）使用金属纳米结构的化学，生物和环境检测。 该方法是集成1）新型纳米颗粒基底，其提供高灵敏度和一致性、分子特异性以及对广泛化合物的适用性; 2）具有双Sers基底结构的独特中空芯光纤探针，其提供紧凑性、可靠性、低成本和易于取样;以及3）提供自动初步分子识别的创新匹配光谱滤波器组。其智力上的优点是消除了目前Sers传感器实际应用的一些现有障碍。开发的新型传感器是一项变革性技术，因为其独特的功能将有助于彻底改变化学和生物检测的方式，具有潜在的单分子检测能力。 这反过来将影响到人类生活的许多方面，从医药和国家安全到食品安全，再到化学和环境工业，更广泛的影响是通过多学科教育和培训快速发展的纳米科学和纳米技术领域的学生来保持美国的竞争优势。 促进多样性的重点是鼓励和招聘科学和工程领域的妇女，以PI为榜样。 对当地和湾区K-12学校的宣传将让高中生参与研究，并激励孩子们成为未来的科学家和工程师。

The objective of this research is to develop and demonstrate a novel fiber sensor based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using metal nanostructures for chemical, biological, and environmental detection. The approach is to integrate 1) novel nanoparticle substrates that provide the high sensitivity and consistency, molecular specificity, and applicability to a wide range of compounds; 2) a unique hollow core optical fiber probe with double SERS substrate structure that provides the compactness, reliability, low cost, and ease of sampling; and 3) an innovative matched spectral filter set that provides automatic preliminary molecule identification. The intellectual merit is to eliminate some of the existing road blocks for the practical applications of current SERS sensors. The novel sensor developed is a transformative technology since its unique capabilities will help revolutionize the way chemical and biological detection is conducted, with potential single molecule detection capability. This in turn will impact many aspects of human lives, ranging from medicine and national security to food safety and to chemical and environmental industries.The broader impacts are to maintain the competitive edge of the US through the multidisciplinary education and training of students in the fast growing fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Promotion of diversity is focused on the encouragement and recruitment of women in science and engineering, with the PI as a role model. Outreach to local and Bay Area K-12 schools will involve high school students to participate in the research and inspire children to be future scientists and engineers.