Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for controlled surface plasmon resonance analysis having a surface plasmon resonance sensor (200) with a derivatized surface plasmon layer (116) in optical communication with the sensor, derivatizing the surface plasmon layer and placing an analyte detection chamber (102) in fluid communication with the derivatized surface plasmon layer. The chamber is adapted (118, 120) for the generation of a molecular interaction bias across the chamber. A conjugate is provided between an analyte and a bias responsive element, wherein the analyte is reactive with the derivatized surface plasmon layer and the bias responsive element changes the response of the analyte to the molecular interaction bias. A conjugated analyte may be introduced into the chamber, generating a molecular interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for controlled surface plasmon resonance analysis having a surface plasmon resonance sensor (200) with a derivatized surface plasmon layer (116) in optical communication with the sensor, derivatizing the surface plasmon layer and placing an analyte detection chamber (102) in fluid communication with the derivatized surface plasmon layer. The chamber is adapted (118, 120) for the generation of a molecular interaction bias across the chamber. A conjugate is provided between an analyte and a bias responsive element, wherein the analyte is reactive with the derivatized surface plasmon layer and the bias responsive element changes the response of the analyte to the molecular interaction bias. A conjugated analyte may be introduced into the chamber, generating a molecular interaction.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor (10) is disclosed. The sensor (10) includes a light source (18) and polarizer (20), which emit polarized light toward a surface plasmon layer (22). Light is reflected from the surface plasmon layer (22) at many angles, toward a photodetector array (26) via a mirror surface (24). The surface plasmon layer (22) includes a resonance film (30), such as gold, and a hard protective layer (32). The hard protective layer (32) is of a thickness below the sensing range (R) of the SPR sensor (10), and protects the resonance film (30) from damage. Materials useful as the hard protective layer (32) include silicon carbide (SiC), diamond-like carbon (DLC), silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, beryllium oxide, and tantalum oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for controlled surface plasmon resonance analysis having a surface plasmon resonance sensor (200) with a derivatized surface plasmon layer (116) in optical communication with the sensor, derivatizing the surface plasmon layer and placing an analyte detection chamber (102) in fluid communication with the derivatized surface plasmon layer. The chamber is adapted (118, 120) for the generation of a molecular interaction bias across the chamber. A conjugate is provided between an analyte and a bias responsive element, wherein the analyte is reactive with the derivatized surface plasmon layer and the bias responsive element changes the response of the analyte to the molecular interaction bias. A conjugated analyte may be introduced into the chamber, generating a molecular interaction.

Abstract: A versatile flow cell front-end (104) for storing and delivering reagents, test samples, and other transportable materials within an optically-based integrated sensor device (100), where management of those materials is controlled via electrical connections (110, 114) within the optically-based integrated sensor device is disclosed, including an inlet chamber (118) formed within the flow cell, a sensing chamber (116) formed within the flow cell, an electrical interface (114) formed within the flow cell, a conduit (122) adjoining the inlet and sensing chambers, another conduit (124) adapted to dispose of fluid in the sensing chamber, and a fluidic control member (126) instantiated along the conduit and responsively coupled to the electrical interface.

Abstract: An agitated flow cell had a micro/miniature vibrator device such as pager motor to agitate the flow cell and its associated sensor to bring fresh analyte to the sensor surface without the need for microfluidic channels, pumps or valves. The agitated flow cell improves the confidence measure of a given sample reading by directing the flow of sample to the sensor/sample interface in a substantially shorter period of time than that required by flow cells that rely on diffusion of analyte molecules through the liquid depletion region in order to bring the sample reliably in contact with the sensor's biosensing film.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for controlled surface plasmon resonance analysis having a surface plasmon resonance sensor (200) with a derivatized surface plasmon layer (116) in optical communication with the sensor, derivatizing the surface plasmon layer and placing an analyte detection chamber (102) in fluid communication with the derivatized surface plasmon layer. The chamber is adapted (118, 120) for the generation of a molecular interaction bias across the chamber. A conjugate is provided between an analyte and a bias responsive element, wherein the analyte is reactive with the derivatized surface plasmon layer and the bias responsive element changes the response of the analyte to the molecular interaction bias. A conjugated analyte may be introduced into the chamber, generating a molecular interaction.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor (10) is disclosed. The sensor (10) includes a light source (18) and polarizer (20), which emit polarized light toward a surface plasmon layer (22). Light is reflected from the surface plasmon layer (22) at many angles, toward a photodetector array (26) via a mirror surface (24). The surface plasmon layer (22) includes a resonance film (30), such as gold, and a hard protective layer (32). The hard protective layer (32) is of a thickness below the sensing range (R) of the SPR sensor (10), and protects the resonance film (30) from damage. Materials useful as the hard protective layer (32) include silicon carbide (SiC), diamond-like carbon (DLC), silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, beryllium oxide, and tantalum oxide.

Abstract: A versatile system (300) for fountain beverage dispensing is disclosed, including a plurality of beverage supply sources (302, 304) adapted to supply a plurality of beverage constituents; a beverage mixing apparatus (200) having a first aperture (206) adapted to receive the plurality of beverage constituents, a second aperture (208) adapted to dispense a mixture of the beverage constituents, and a conduit (202) interposed between the first and second apertures and adapted (210) to mix the plurality of beverage constituents; a dispensing nozzle (320) engaged with the second aperture; and a sensor device (322) disposed along the conduit, proximal to the second aperture, and adapted to adjust the supply of a beverage constituent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of automatically sensing and controlling beverage quality for soft drinks from a fountain dispenser, for example, comprising the steps of supplying a first fluid, such as water or carbonated water, wherein the flow of the first fluid is controlled by a first valve, supplying a second fluid, mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, passing a sample of the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid onto a sensing surface of a fixed optic sensor, measuring one or more properties of the sample, such as, for example, refractive index, temperature, and pressure, controlling the first valve based on the one or more properties, and dispensing the mixture. The first valve may be proportionally enlarged and reduced or it may selectively opened and closed pursuant to a desired duty cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing system and method utilizing a sensor cartridge (10) for making analytical measurements regarding one or more samples (50) of interest, the cartridge (10) comprising an opaque housing (12) having an opening (32), the opening (32) allowing access to one or more electrically conductive contacts (34) and one or more fluidic connectors (36) disposed within the housing (12) and mechanically aligned to the electrically conductive contacts (34), a flow cell (56) having one or more channels connected to the one or more fluidic connectors (36), and a fixed optic sensor (68, 58, 72, 74) disposed within said housing (12) and aligned to a sensing surface on the flow cell. The fixed optic sensor may be, for example, a surface plasmon resonance sensor, a critical angle sensor, or a fluorescence-based sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the one or more electrically conductive contacts (32) comprise card-edge contacts (34).

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing leakage current in an integrated circuit (24). A first doped region (18) having a first conductivity type is formed in a semiconductor layer (10) having a second conductivity type, such that a second doped region (20) having the first conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor layer (10). The second doped region (20) is less conductive than the first doped region (18). The first doped region (18) is removed from the semiconductor layer (10), such that the second doped region (20) substantially remains in the semiconductor layer (10). The integrated circuit (24) is formed to include the second doped region (20) and the semiconductor layer (10).

Abstract: A method of forming an n-p junction in a body (44, 44a, 44b) formed of Group II and Group VI elements. The body (44, 44a, 44b) initially is of p-type conductivity characteristic, and a dry reactive etching process is employed for forming a via (60, 60a, 60b) in the body by a chemical reaction which is also effective to type convert a portion of the body adjacent the via. An n-doped region (64, 64a, 64b) is thereby formed within the body around the via and between the via and the remaining, p-doped region of the body, thereby defining an n-p junction. In one embodiment, the body is mounted on an electrical device (50, 50a, 50b) having an input contact pad (58, 58a, 58b), and an electrically conductive layer (62, 46a, 90) is formed in connection with the contact pad and the n-doped region adjacent the via.

Abstract: A process is disclosed through which vias (50) can be formed by the reaction of an etchant species (52) with a mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) layer (42). The activating gases (20) are preferably a hydrogen gas or a methane gas which is excited in a diode plasma reactor (100) which has an RF power source (13) applied to one of two parallel electrodes. The etching occurs in selected areas in a photoresist pattern (44) residing over the ZnS or HgCdTe layer (42). Wet etching the layer (42) with a wet etchant (54) following the dry etching, improves the via (50) by making the walls (48) smoother, and allowing for expansion of the vias (50) to a dimension necessary for proper operation of a HgCdTe-based infrared detector.

Abstract: A process is disclosed through which vias (50) can be formed by the reaction of an etchant species (52) with a mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) layer (42). The activating gases (20) are preferably a hydrogen gas or a methane gas which is excited in a diode plasma reactor (100) which has an RF power source (13) applied to one of two parallel electrodes. The etching occurs in selected areas in a photoresist pattern (44) residing over the ZnS or HgCdTe layer (42). Wet etching the layer (42) with a wet etchant (54) following the dry etching, improves the via (50) by making the walls (48) smoother, and allowing for expansion of the vias (50) to a dimension necessary for proper operation of a HgCdTe-based infrared detector.