Abstract:
Novel, polarization-insensitive, birefringent tunable filter arrangements that allow high throughput and which are broadband. The filters are based on a combination of tunable birefringent layers or polarization dependent filters, in combination with one or more of the following components (i) thin film achromatic quarter waveplates based on the form birefringence of dielectric subwavelength grating structures, (ii) nano wire-grid polarizers made of metallic wire grids; (iii) omnidirectional dielectric mirrors, (iv) polarization conversion mirrors, and (v) reflective polarized beam splitters for circularly polarized light. All of these components may be implemented in thin film form on one or more substrates, such that a particularly compact and cost effective filter can be produced. The birefringent layers can be any birefringent or magneto-optic layer but especially liquid crystals. The use of novel polarization conversion disposition of the components of the filter results in a filter having high throughput.
Abstract:
The invention is a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor to determine the presence and quantity of biological or chemical entities in an analyte. The sensor comprises a metal periodic structure deposited as a thin layer of a noble metal, comprising a one dimensional array of nanoslits or a two dimensional array of nanoholes on a transparent dielectric substrate, a nm- thick layer of transparent dielectric protection layer on top of the metal periodic structure and a functionalization layer, which acts as a binding layer to biological or biochemical entities in an analyte that is in contact with the functionaliztion layer. The sensor of the invention has the following properties: the spaces perforated in the metal are at least partially filled by a material with a refractive index as close as possible to that of the substrate; the thickness of the metal layer is no more than lOOnm; the refractive index, transparency and the thickness of the dielectric protection nanolayer are chosen so that it does not affect the sensor sensitivity; the thickness of the dielectric protection layer is no more than 20nm; and the presence of the material in the spaces perforated in the metal distances the analyte material from the metal-substrate interface, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio for the spectral/angular peak corresponding to the plasmon excited at the metal-substrate interface allowing this spectral/angular peak to be used as a reference relative to which the spectral/angular peaks corresponding to the plasmon excited at the metal- analyte interface is measured.
Abstract:
Novel, polarization-insensitive, birefringent tunable filter arrangements that allow high throughput and which are broadband. The filters are based on a combination of tunable birefringent layers or polarization dependent filters, in combination with one or more of the following components (i) thin film achromatic quarter waveplates based on the form birefringence of dielectric subwavelength grating structures, (ii) nano wire-grid polarizers made of metallic wire grids; (iii) omnidirectional dielectric mirrors, (iv) polarization conversion mirrors, and (v) reflective polarized beam splitters for circularly polarized light. All of these components may be implemented in thin film form on one or more substrates, such that a particularly compact and cost effective filter can be produced. The birefringent layers can be any birefringent or magneto-optic layer but especially liquid crystals. The use of novel polarization conversion disposition of the components of the filter results in a filter having high throughput.
Abstract:
A system is described that combines spectropolarimetry with scatterometry. The system uses an annular mirror and liquid crystal devices to control the angle of the incident light cone, the polarization and wavelength, an imaging setup and one or more video cameras so that spectroscopic-polarimetric-scatterometric images can be grabbed rapidly. The system is also designed to incorporate additional imaging modes such as interference, phase contrast, fluorescence and Raman spectropolarimetric imaging.
Abstract:
A system is described that combines spectropolarimetry with scatterometry. The system uses an annular mirror and liquid crystal devices to control the angle of the incident light cone, the polarization and wavelength, an imaging setup and one or more video cameras so that spectroseopic-polarimetric-scatterometric images can be grabbed rapidly. The system is also designed to incorporate additional imaging modes such as interference, phase contrast, fluorescence and Raman spectropolarimetric imaging.
Abstract:
A system is described that combines spectropolarimetry with scatterometry. The system uses an annular mirror and liquid crystal devices to control the angle of the incident light cone, the polarization and wavelength, an imaging setup and one or more video cameras so that spectroseopic-polarimetric-scatterometric images can be grabbed rapidly. The system is also designed to incorporate additional imaging modes such as interference, phase contrast, fluorescence and Raman spectropolarimetric imaging.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a liquid crystal composite tunable device for fast polarisation-independent modulation of an incident light beam comprising: (a) two supporting and functional panels, at least one of them coated with a transparent conductive electrode layer and with optionally at least one additional layer selected from an alignment layer, antireflective coating layer, thermochromic or electrochromic layer, photoconductive or photosensitive layer, and (b) a composite structure sandwiched between said two panels and made of a liquid crystal and porous microparticles infiltrated with said liquid crystal. The porous microparticles have an average refractive index approximately equals to one of the liquid crystal principal refractive indices, matching that of the liquid crystal at one orientational state (for example, parallel n ∥ ), and exhibiting large mismatch at another orientational state (for example, perpendicular n ⊥ ). This refractive index mismatch between said microparticles and said liquid crystal is tuned by applying an external electric or magnetic field, thermally or optically.
Abstract:
The invention is a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor to determine the presence and quantity of biological or chemical entities in an analyte. The sensor comprises a metal periodic structure deposited as a thin layer of a noble metal, comprising a one dimensional array of nanoslits or a two dimensional array of nanoholes on a transparent dielectric substrate, a nm-thick layer of transparent dielectric protection layer on top of the metal periodic structure and a functionalization layer, which acts as a binding layer to biological or biochemical entities in an analyte that is in contact with the functionalization layer. The sensor of the invention has the following properties: the spaces perforated in the metal are at least partially filled by a material with a refractive index as dose as possible to that of the substrate; the thickness of the metal layer is no more than 10Onm.