Abstract: A disposable, portable, miniature surface plasmon resonance sensor (30) having real-time referencing capability in the presence of any interaction, without changing the sensing surface condition is disclosed herein. The sensor (30) includes an electromagnetic radiation source (32) which generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation (52) that passes through a liquid crystal switch that includes a polarizer, plates and liquid crystal material sandwiched between the plates. The liquid crystal switch is disposed between the source (32) and an array of detectors (48). The liquid crystal switch has the ability to switch between a first and a second state of polarized radiation such that it provides the transverse magnetic component of the electromagnetic radiation for detection of SPR on a target element and, in the alternative, provides the transverse electric component of the electromagnetic radiation to determine a reference signal for the sensor (30).

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor or critical angle sensor has a reflecting surface which is optically flat and exposed to air on one side. Light reflecting from a sensing surface of the sensor which impinges on the reflecting surface at an angle which is less than the critical angle passes into the air whereas light which impinges at an angle which is equal to or greater than the critical angle is reflected onto a photodetector. The critical angle reflection from the reflecting surface provides a total internal reflection (TIR) characteristic which is used to calibrate the sensor.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor or critical angle sensor has a reflecting surface which is optically flat and exposed to air on one side. Light reflecting from a sensing surface of the sensor which impinges on the reflecting surface at an angle which is less than the critical angle passes into the air whereas light which impinges at an angle which is equal to or greater than the critical angle is reflected onto a photodetector. The critical angle reflection from the reflecting surface provides a total internal reflection (TIR) characteristic which is used to calibrate the sensor.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor capable of determining the property of several liquids at varying times or simultaneously without the need for a reflecting surface is incorporated herein. This sensor includes at least one electromagnetic radiation source which generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation that passes through a filter and a polarizer disposed between the source and an array of detectors. The filter prevents electromagnetic radiation at the absorbed frequency from striking the array. A film of a conductive material capable of sustaining surface plasmon resonance has a first surface and a second surface. Liquids are deposited on the first surface, while the second surface reflects at least part of the beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the source.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor capable of determining the property of several liquids at varying times or simultaneously without the need for a reflecting surface is incorporated herein. This sensor includes at least one electromagnetic radiation source which generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation that passes through a filter and a polarizer disposed between the source and an array of detectors. The filter prevents electromagnetic radiation at the absorbed frequency from striking the array. A film of a conductive material capable of sustaining surface plasmon resonance has a first surface and a second surface. Liquids are deposited on the first surface, while the second surface reflects at least part of the beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the source.

Abstract: A disposable, portable, miniature surface plasmon resonance sensor (30) having real-time referencing capability in the presence of any interaction, without changing the sensing surface condition is disclosed herein. The sensor (30) includes an electromagnetic radiation source (32) which generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation (52) that passes through a liquid crystal switch that includes a polarizer, plates and liquid crystal material sandwiched between the plates. The liquid crystal switch is disposed between the source (32) and an array of detectors (48). The liquid crystal switch has the ability to switch between a first and a second state of polarized radiation such that it provides the transverse magnetic component of the electromagnetic radiation for detection of SPR on a target element and, in the alternative, provides the transverse electric component of the electromagnetic radiation to determine a reference signal for the sensor (30).

Abstract: A rapid sensor calibration technique applied prior to each Sensor 9 measuring a beverage in which water (zero Brix), at same temperature as beverage, is drawn from a Water Supply 3 via Valve 6 and passed over the fixed optic Sensor 9 in order to reference out any sensor temperature changes or beverage temperature changes or sensor surface fouling by the dispensed beverage. This technique of continuous and multiple calibrations, provides an enhanced “beverage dispensing system” calibration beyond that achievable using known calibration methods associated with automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality for soft drinks from a fountain dispenser using, for example, water at a specific temperature to initially calibrate Sensor 9, or using a high quality beverage, from a bottle, for example, at a known Brix level to initially calibrate Sensor 9.

Abstract: A rapid sensor calibration technique applied prior to each Sensor 9 measuring a beverage in which water (zero Brix), at same temperature as beverage, is drawn from a Water Supply 3 via Valve 6 and passed over the fixed optic Sensor 9 in order to reference out any sensor temperature changes or beverage temperature changes or sensor surface fouling by the dispensed beverage. This technique of continuous and multiple calibrations, provides an enhanced “beverage dispensing system” calibration beyond that achievable using known calibration methods associated with automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality for soft drinks from a fountain dispenser using, for example, water at a specific temperature to initially calibrate Sensor 9, or using a high quality beverage, from a bottle, for example, at a known Brix level to initially calibrate Sensor 9.

Abstract: A sensor control and data analysis system (100) for detecting and analyzing various (bio)chemical properties of a given sample substance (107) using an integrated SPR sensor (50) or other miniaturized sensor configuration. In one embodiment, raw sensor data from the sensing device (105) is transferred to a remote processing system (111), such as a desktop computer, having a display (125), keyboard or other user control and data entry device (123), internal storage area (127), internal microprocessor (117) and a communications means (129). The processing system (111) runs a software application program (115) that receives the raw sample data and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to render meaningful information about the sample substance.

Abstract: A sensor for determining a property of each of a plurality of liquids includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources, each source generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The sensor also includes an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors. Each detector in the array is responsive to detect part of the beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by each source for making a determination of a property of the part of the beam detected. The sensor further includes a surface plasmon resonance layer and a reflecting surface. The surface plasmon resonance layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface can have a plurality of liquids deposited thereon, and the second surface reflects at least part of the beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by each source. The reflecting surface reflects the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface plasmon resonance layer towards the array of detectors.

Abstract: A fixed optic sensor system (200) comprising a sensor system (210), and electronic sub-system (205) and a communications means (215). The system can be used for detecting the presence of various sample (236) properties and in that regard has widespread application by leveraging off various miniaturized sensor configurations including surface plasmon resonance (50), fluorescence (80), light transmission (125) and others (150). In one embodiment, the communications means (215) is a wireless transmitter/receiver. In another embodiment, a hand held instrument (358) can be used on-site and communicates with the sensor (350) to receive sample (352) related data and transmit it to a remote processing system (370) for further analysis. In yet another embodiment, a hand held instrument (403) has a plurality of cardiac marker binding ligands (400) deposited on the sensor/sample interface providing a medical diagnosis and point-of-care device (403).

Abstract: This invention relates to mounting integrated circuits (IC) to multi-chip modules (MCM) or substrates. More specifically, it provides a method of mounting a semiconductor die such as a thin slice of Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) to a silicon semiconductor substrate, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), using a thermoplastic to reduce stress on the MCT caused by mismatched Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE). This process provides for an array of infrared photodetectors on a material such as MCT to be mounted to a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) using the Vertical Integrated Photodiode (VIP) approach to FPAs, while allowing double sided interdiffusion of CdTe for surface passivation to reduce dark currents and improve performance, without the problems associated with mismatched coefficients of thermal expansion during high temperature processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated miniaturized biochemical sensor (50) which can be used to make critical angle measurements resulting from the differences in refractive index between the sensor's housing (55) and a given sample (40). In one embodiment, the sensor includes a device platform (111) over which an encapsulating and light transmissive housing (115) is formed to enclose the various sensor components including a light source (105), and a photodetector (107), a signal processing unit (95) and a temperature sensor (95). In another embodiment the housing (115) has a reflective mirrored surface (119) which focuses the light (117) from the light source (105) onto a sensing surface (121) which is in interact with the sample (40) of interest. Light incident from the sensing surface (121) is directed at the photodetector (107,159) which may be an array or single cell. A temperature sensor (95) may also be included and coupled to the platform (111).

Abstract: This invention relates to mounting integrated circuits (IC) to multi-chip modules (MCM) or substrates. More specifically, it provides a method of mounting a semiconductor die such as a thin slice of Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) to a silicon semiconductor substrate, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), using a thermoplastic to reduce stress on the MCT caused by mismatched Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE). This process provides for an array of infrared photodetectors on a material such as MCT to be mounted to a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) using the Vertical Integrated Photodiode (VIP) approach to FPAs, while allowing double sided interdiffusion of CdTe for surface passivation to reduce dark currents and improve performance, without the problems associated with mismatched coefficients of thermal expansion during high temperature processes.

Abstract: A fixed optic sensor system (200) comprising a sensor system (210), and electronic sub-system (205) and a communications means (215). The system can be used for detecting the presence of various sample (236) properties and in that regard has widespread application by leveraging off various miniaturized sensor configurations including surface plasmon resonance (50), fluorescence (80), light transmission (125) and others (150). In one embodiment, the communications means (215) is a wireless transmitter/receiver. In another embodiment, a hand held instrument (358) can be used on-site and communicates with the sensor (350) to receive sample (352) related data and transmit it to a remote processing system (370) for further analysis. In yet another embodiment, a hand held instrument (403) has a plurality of cardiac marker binding ligands (400) deposited on the sensor/sample interface providing a medical diagnosis and point-of-care device (403).