Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: A hand-held or portable SPR device focuses light at two or more positions on a noble metal sensor surface, functionalized to enable detection of different SPR curves and their respective minima. The detection is accomplished substantially simultaneously by obtaining SPR signals contemporaneously from the different locations on the sensor surface, on the same sensor. The SPR device may incorporate multiple light sources or a single light source with a beam that is shifted by deflectors in seriatim to focus on different positions on along the functionalized sensor surface. To control wettability of the sensor surface (to augment multiplexing), the sensor surface may include i) the addition of surface assembled monolayers (SAMs) and ii) surface bombardment by gaseous plasmas, most notably O2.

Abstract: The present invention provides for excitable molecules positioned near metallic structures, wherein the metallic structures have a particles size from about 1 nm to 1000 nm and wherein the excitable molecules have fluorescence, phosphorescence or alpha-fluorescence emissions that are altered due to positioning near the metal structures. The emission spectra are distorted on either the blue or red edges in a range from 1 to 10 nm thereby changing the color of emissions. Further, the width of the emission spectrum is modified either by narrowing or broadening depending on the material of the metallic structures and type of excitable molecule.

Abstract: Sensors, systems and methods for detecting analytes in a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the presence or absence of a member of a binding pair in the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., blood), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., infection with a virus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides for metallic structures comprising a sulfhydryl or amino-terminated hydrophilic coating to provide a layer of hydrophilic character on the surface of the metallic structures thereby allowing the use of low volumes of aqueous solvents of fluorophores that have the ability to “spread out” across the surfaces of the metallic structures and to provide for a more uniform surface coating of fluorophores attached to or near the metallic structures.

Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface plasmon-coupled bioluminescence, wherein bioluminescent emission from a bioluminescent chemical reaction couples to surface plasmons in metalized particles thereby enhancing the signal. Importantly, these plasmonic emissions emitted from metallic particles generated without an external excitation source but instead from induced electronically excited states caused by the bioluminescent chemical reaction.

Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: A hand-held or portable SPR device focuses light at two or more positions on a noble metal sensor surface, functionalized to enable detection of different SPR curves and their respective minima. The detection is accomplished substantially simultaneously by obtaining SPR signals contemporaneously from the different locations on the sensor surface, on the same sensor. The SPR device may incorporate multiple light sources or a single light source with a beam that is shifted by deflectors in seriatim to focus on different positions on along the functionalized sensor surface. To control wettability of the sensor surface (to augment multiplexing), the sensor surface may include i) the addition of surface assembled monolayers (SAMs) and ii) surface bombardment by gaseous plasmas, most notably O2.

Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: An SPR detection apparatus has an optical system with a sensor member including a planar metallic layer, the sensor member being removably mountable to a housing. First optics direct an incident beam toward a rear side of the metallic layer at a predetermined range of angles to a normal to the sensor layer. Second optics guide at least one reflected beam, corresponding to the incident beam, from the metallic layer to the transducer. The transducer converts incoming electromagnetic radiation to an electrical signal for transmission to a signal processor disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the at least one opto-electrical transducer so as to detect a surface plasmon resonance angle. The first optics are configured so that the at least one incident beam spans at least about 20°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enhancement of detectable emissions from carbon nanodots or variants thereof by using the techniques of MEF to further enhance carbon nanodot brightness, photostability, and thus, potentially detectability in biological imaging applications by using plasmon supporting materials, such as silver island films and positioning of the carbon nanodots an optimal distance from the plasmon supporting materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides for excitable molecules positioned near metallic structures, wherein the metallic structures have a particles size from about 1 nm to 1000 nm and wherein the excitable molecules have fluorescence, phosphorescence or alpha-fluorescence emissions that are altered due to positioning near the metal structures. The emission spectra are distorted on either the blue or red edges in a range from 1 to 10 nm thereby changing the color of emissions. Further, the width of the emission spectrum is modified either by narrowing or broadening depending on the material of the metallic structures and type of excitable molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides for excitable molecules positioned near metallic structures, wherein the metallic structures have a particles size from about 1 nm to 1000 nm and wherein the excitable molecules have fluorescence, phosphorescence or alpha-fluorescence emissions that are altered due to positioning near the metal structures. The emission spectra are distorted on either the blue or red edges in a range from 1 to 10 nm thereby changing the color of emissions. Further, the width of the emission spectrum is modified either by narrowing or broadening depending on the material of the metallic structures and type of excitable molecule.