Metallic overcoating as a light attenuating layer for optical sensors
First Claim
1. A sensor comprising:
- a substrate substantially transmissive to light having a first side and a second side;
a sensing membrane layered onto the second side of said substrate; and
a liquid permeable, substantially nontransmissive to light metallic coating comprising gold and palladium directly layered on said sensing membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a substrate substantially transmissive to light having a first side and a second side;
a sensing membrane layered onto the second side of said substrate; and
a liquid permeable, substantially nontransmissive to light metallic coating comprising gold and palladium directly layered on said sensing membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a light source in communication with said substrate, said sensing membrane and said metallic coating; and
a detector in communication with said substrate, said sensing membrane and said metallic coating.
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10. A sensor comprising:
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a substrate substantially transmissive to light having a first side and a second side;
a sensing membrane layered onto the second side of said substrate; and
a liquid permeable, substantially nontransmissive to light metallic coating comprising gold and palladium layered directly on said sensing membrane, said metallic coating having an optical density of approximately 0.893;
a light source in communication with said substrate, said sensing membrane, and said metallic coating; and
a detector in communication with said substrate, said sensing membrane and said metallic coating.
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Specification