Optical sensors using surface plasmon resonance to determine at least one property relating to phase change of a hydrocarbon-based analyte
First Claim
1. An optical sensor comprising:
- a sample chamber configured to hold a hydrocarbon-based analyte;
a temperature control element configured to regulate temperature of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber;
a pressure control element configured to regulate pressure of the of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber;
a metallic film disposed adjacent the sample chamber;
a light source configured to generate light;
an optical element configured to direct light produced by the light source to the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance and to direct light reflected at the interface of the metallic film for output from the optical element, such that the light reflected at the interface of the metallic film is sensitive to surface plasmon resonance at the interface of the metallic film;
an optoelectronic device configured to (a) receive light reflected at the interface of the metallic film as directed by the optical element and (b) generate a corresponding electrical signal; and
a computer processing system configured to generate and store data based on the electrical signal generated by the optoelectronic device for a number of test measurements at variable conditions of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber as controlled by the temperature control element and the pressure control element, and wherein the computer processing system is configured to process the data to determine at least one property related to phase transition of the hydrocarbon-based analyte.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical sensor and corresponding method of operation can detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte. The optical sensor includes an optical element with a metallic film coupled or integral thereto, with a sample chamber holds the hydrocarbon-based analyte such that the hydrocarbon-based analyte is disposed adjacent the metallic layer. The optical sensor further includes a light source configured to direct light through the optical element such that the light is reflected by the metallic layer under conditions of surface plasmon resonance. The optical sensor analyzes the reflected light to detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An optical sensor comprising:
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a sample chamber configured to hold a hydrocarbon-based analyte; a temperature control element configured to regulate temperature of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber; a pressure control element configured to regulate pressure of the of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber; a metallic film disposed adjacent the sample chamber; a light source configured to generate light; an optical element configured to direct light produced by the light source to the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance and to direct light reflected at the interface of the metallic film for output from the optical element, such that the light reflected at the interface of the metallic film is sensitive to surface plasmon resonance at the interface of the metallic film; an optoelectronic device configured to (a) receive light reflected at the interface of the metallic film as directed by the optical element and (b) generate a corresponding electrical signal; and a computer processing system configured to generate and store data based on the electrical signal generated by the optoelectronic device for a number of test measurements at variable conditions of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber as controlled by the temperature control element and the pressure control element, and wherein the computer processing system is configured to process the data to determine at least one property related to phase transition of the hydrocarbon-based analyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of optical sensing comprising:
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loading a sample chamber with a hydrocarbon-based analyte and a metallic film disposed adjacent the sample chamber; with the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber, directing light produced by a light source to the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance and directing light reflected at the interface of the metallic film to an optoelectronic device configured to (a) receive the light reflected at the interface of the metallic film and (b) generate a corresponding electrical signal, wherein the light reflected at the interface of the metallic film is sensitive to surface plasmon resonance at the interface of the metallic film; using a computer processing system to generate and process data based on the electrical signal to detect a phase transition or related property with respect to the hydrocarbon-based analyte; and wherein the computer processing system generates data based on the electrical signal generated by the optoelectronic device for a number of test measurements at variable conditions of the hydrocarbon-based analyte in the sample chamber as controlled by at least one temperature control element and at least one pressure control element. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification