Rugged, Ultra-Sensitive Infrared Luminescent Sensors

目的：该项目的目标是开发一种发光红外传感器，该传感器结合了超高灵敏度和高选择性，同时需要最小的校准，与现场使用兼容。该传感器将允许在医院、机场、商业边界或战场等现场快速检测痕量分子物种，并将对医疗保健、执法和国家安全产生直接影响。知识价值：这项研究的知识价值在于首次展示了一种用于分子检测的无标签但高选择性和高灵敏度的光学传感器。该传感器将达到前所未有的灵敏度，同时提供与传统FTIR相同的光谱分辨率。该研究还将为红外光与共振分子振动模式的基本相互作用提供新的见解。更广泛的影响：这项研究的更广泛影响在于它有潜力开发可直接应用于保健、国防和国土安全的新型传感器。痕量分析物的高灵敏度传感有许多应用，从呼吸分析到检测爆炸物或非法物质。所提出的传感器也可以在溶液中操作，并且在生物传感中具有非常有前途的潜力，用于检测和监测单个微生物（如细胞，病毒或细菌）的代谢。因此，预计这项研究将产生非常广泛的社会影响。此外，这项研究将纳入若干教育和外联活动，重点是代表性不足的群体和国际教育。

Objective: The objective of this program is to develop a luminescent infrared sensor that combines ultra high sensitivity and high selectivity while requiring minimal alignment compatible with field use. This sensor will permit to rapidly detect trace quantities of molecular species in the field such as hospitals, airports, commercial borders or on the battleground and will have direct implications for health care, law enforcement and national security. Intellectual merit: The intellectual merit of this research resides in providing the first demonstration of a label free yet highly selective and highly sensitive optical sensor for molecular detection. The proposed sensor will reach unprecedented sensitivity while providing spectral resolution identical to conventional FTIR. This research will also provide new insights on the fundamental interaction of infrared light with resonant molecular vibrational modes. Broader impacts: The broader impacts of this research reside in its potential for developing novel sensors with direct applications in health-care, defense and homeland security. High sensitivity sensing of trace analytes has many applications ranging from breath analysis to detection of explosives or illicit substances. The proposed sensor can also be operated in solution and has very promising potential in bio-sensing for detecting and monitoring the metabolism of single microorganisms such as cells, virus or bacteria. It is therefore expected that this research will have a very broad societal impact. In addition this research will be integrated into several educational and outreach activities with an emphasis on under-represented groups and international education.