Abstract: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors comprise a sensor chip constructed of laterally integrated arrays of planar sensor chip units and an optical transducer constructed of laterally integrated arrays of planar optical transducer units. The replaceable sensor chip is separated from the optical transducer by a gap and perpendicular optical interconnections are between the sensor chip and the optical transducer. The optical interconnections between the sensor chip and the optical transducer are based on collimated light beams incident perpendicularly to the interfaces. Uncritical alignment of the optical transducer and the sensor chip is provided. The direction of the light beams will not be changed when passing through the interfaces between the sensor chip, the gap and the optical transducer eliminating the need of disposing refractive index matching gels in the gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides configurations and a method of formation of optical coupling elements for surface plasmon resonance sensors. In the method of the present invention, interference patterns between two overlapping monochromatic coherent light beams are created on a photosensitive film disposed on a master substrate. At least one of the light beams has an oblique angle of incidence onto the master substrate, and the focal points of the two overlapping light beams are positioned in order to reduce optical aberrations up to third order. After developing the photosensitive film, the surface relief patterns pattern created on the master substrate is replicated as diffractive optical element onto SPR sensor chips. The diffractive optical elements working as optical coupling elements diffract an incoming light beam into an oblique angle within the range from 40 to ˜80 degrees.