Apparatus for single-molecule detection

• US 9,995,683 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2014
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Chiou, Chung-Fan, Tsai, Rung-Ywan, Li, Yu-Tang, Shih, Chih-Tsung, Li, Ming-Chia, Chu, Chang-Sheng, Chung, Shuang-Chao, Chen, Jung-Po, Pu, Ying-Chih
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fisher, Brittany I
• Application Number:
  US14/308,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20140367589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 422 8211
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6482 Sample cells, cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/648 using evanescent coupling or surface plasmon coupling for the excitation of fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7703 using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/088 Using a sensor fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/954 Of radiant energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/957 Of chemical property or presence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/958 Of biomolecule property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/143333 Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/145555 Hetero-N

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting an object capable of emitting light. The apparatus includes a light source and a waveguide. The waveguide includes a core layer and a first cladding layer. At least one nanowell is formed in at least the first cladding layer. The apparatus further includes a light detector. The light detector can detect a light emitted from a single molecule object contained in the at least one nanowell.

Claims

1. A single molecule detection apparatus, comprising:

a planar waveguide comprising;

a core layer;

a first cladding layer; and

a second cladding layer, wherein

the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer are arranged at opposite sides of the core layer, and

at least one nanowell is formed in at least the first cladding layer;

at least one light detector; and

an opaque layer arranged between the planar waveguide and the detector, the opaque layer being made of a metal or an alloy,

wherein the opaque layer has a hole arranged between the at least one nanowell and the light detector so as to allow a light emitted from a single molecule object contained in the at least one nanowell to reach the light detector.

2. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the light detector is formed on or in a substrate, and

the at least one nanowell and the light detector are arranged at opposite sides of the waveguide.

3. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light detector includes a multi-junction photodiode.

4. The detection apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the core layer includes an exposed portion not covered by the first cladding layer,

the detection apparatus further comprising:

a patterned grating arranged on the exposed portion of the core layer.

5. The detection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical filter arranged between the waveguide and the light detector, the optical filter allowing a light emitted from an object in the at least one nanowell to pass through and reducing a noise caused by an excitation light.

6. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opaque layer is made from a material chosen from Al, Ti, Ni, Cr, Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, and Pd, or an alloy of any two or more thereof.

7. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of the core layer is less than about 0.3 nm.

8. The detection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source configured to emit an excitation light,

wherein a size of a bottom of the at least one nanowell is smaller than about a wavelength of the excitation light.

9. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein an angle of a sidewall of the at least one nanowell relative to a direction perpendicular to a bottom of the at least one nanowell is less than about 60 degree.

10. The detection apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the opaque layer is a first opaque layer,

the detection apparatus further comprising a second opaque layer arranged over the first cladding layer.

11. The detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opaque layer includes a nanostructured pattern functioning as a grating.