Abstract: A flow imaging system is used to implement surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection to study bio-molecular interactions. The flow imaging system is used to capture SPR absorption spectra of large numbers of objects, where each object includes both a metal film capable of exhibiting SPR, and detecting molecules. Analyte molecules are added to a solution of such objects, and the result is introduced into the flow imaging system which collects full SPR spectral data from individual objects. The objects can be nanoparticles or larger particles that support metal island films. The SPR spectral data can be used to determine specificity, kinetics, affinity, and concentration with respect to the interactions between the detecting molecules and the analyte molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides SPR sensors in which the sensing element is a planar lightpipe. The sensors of this invention include configurations which employ multiwavelength light incident on the SPR sensing area at a single angle or at a range of angles. Sensors of this invention also include configurations that employ monochromatic light at a range of angles. Many of the configurations of the SPR lightpipe sensors of this invention involve imaging of input light through the lightpipe. In one embodiment, the invention provides a first order SPR sensor system in which the sensing element is a planar lightpipe. Light coupled into the lightpipe reflects off an SPR sensing area positioned on an external surface planar surface of the lightpipe.