Abstract: Enhancing fluorescent particles constituted by a plurality of fine metal particles and a plurality of fluorescent dye molecules dispersed and enveloped in a light transmitting dielectric material are employed. Here, the particle size of the fine metal particles is greater than 10 nm and 40 nm or less, and the volume within the enhancing fluorescent particles occupied by the fine metal particles is within a range from 5% to 40%.

Abstract: A magnetic binding substance, which is a first binding substance that specifically binds with a target substance, having magnet enveloping dielectric particles, which have magnetic particles enveloped therein and surfaces modified with functional groups that exhibit polarity within a liquid sample, attached thereto, and a labeling binding substance, which is a second binding substance that specifically binds with the target substance having photoresponsive labels attached thereto, are mixed with the liquid sample such that binding reactions occur. A magnetic field is generated within a sample cell, to draw the magnetic binding substance to a local region. Excitation light is irradiated only onto a predetermined region including the local region while the magnetic binding substance is drawn to the local region, causing the photoresponsive labels present therein to generate optical signals. The optical signals are detected.

Abstract: Excitation light from a light source is caused to enter a finely apertured thin metal film, having fine apertures with diameters less than or equal to the wavelength of the excitation light, formed on a surface of a substrate different from a light incident surface thereof, through the substrate, to cause near field light to be generated at the fine apertures. Fluorescent labels included in a sample liquid supplied to contact the thin metal film are caused to emit light by the near field light and by surface plasmon which are induced in the finely apertured thin metal film by the near field light. Fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent labels is detected with a detector. Fluorescent particles having a plurality of fluorescent pigments enveloped in a transmitting material that transmits both the excitation light and the fluorescence are employed as the fluorescent labels.

Abstract: In a device for mass spectrometry, an analyte contained in a sample is desorbed from a surface of the device by irradiating the sample in contact with the surface with measurement light. The device includes a micro-structure having a plurality of metal bodies on a surface of a substrate, and the plurality of metal bodies have sizes that can excite localized plasmons by irradiation with the measurement light. Further, the device includes an initiator fixed at least to a part of a surface of the micro-structure.

Abstract: A fluorescence detecting method utilizes surface plasmon enhancement. An electric field enhancing field is caused to be generated at a detecting portion that includes a metal film provided on a surface of a dielectric prism. Fluorescence emitted by fluorescent labels, which are attached to a detection target substance, due to the excitation effect of the electric field enhancing field is detected by a photodetector. During the detection, a plurality of fine metal particles are dispersed on the detecting portion.

Abstract: An immunochromatoassay method that allows high detection sensitivity measurement. The method including the steps of: permeating an analyte solution that includes a visibly labeled second binding substance that specifically binds to a detection target substance into a test area of a chromatography medium provided with a first binding substance that specifically binds to the detection target substance, simultaneously with or after the permeation of the analyte solution into the test area, permeating a visual recognition aid solution into the chromatograph medium, the solution having a refractive index whose refractive index difference ?n from that of the chromatograph medium is ?0.1??n?0.1, and visually observing the test area while the visual recognition aid solution is permeated in the test area.

Abstract: A sensor-chip includes a sensor-portion having at least a metal-layer deposited on a surface of a dielectric-plate. A fluorescent-label binding-substance in an amount corresponding to the amount of a detection-target-substance in a liquid-sample binds onto the sensor-portion. The amount of the detection-target-substance is detected based on the amount of light generated by excitation of a fluorescent-label in the fluorescent-label binding-substance. A fluorescent-substance the charge state of which changes in the liquid-sample according to the pH of the liquid-sample, and which contains a plurality of fluorescent-dye-molecules enclosed by a material that transmits fluorescence output from the fluorescent-dye-molecules, is used as the fluorescent-label.

Abstract: An amount of fluorescent labels corresponding to an amount of a detection target substance are caused to bind on a detecting portion. The fluorescent labels are excited, and the amount of the detection target substance is detected based on the intensity of fluorescence emitted due to the excitation. Fine inorganic fluorescent particles which do not become discolored are employed as the fluorescent labels.

Abstract: Reference data are subtracted from corresponding actual measurement data, and unprocessed binding quantity data, each of which represents a quantity of binding of a ligand and each of analytes, are thereby acquired. Calculation is made to find a relationship between the reference data and the unprocessed binding quantity data acquired in cases where the binding does not occur. In accordance with the relationship, variation components, which are contained in the unprocessed binding quantity data, are calculated. The variation components are subtracted from the corresponding unprocessed binding quantity data, and processed binding quantity data are thereby acquired. The processed binding quantity data are utilized for extracting an analyte capable of binding with the ligand.

Abstract: A magnetic binding substance, which is a first binding substance that specifically binds with a target substance, having magnet enveloping dielectric particles, which have magnetic particles enveloped therein and surfaces modified with functional groups that exhibit polarity within a liquid sample, attached thereto, and a labeling binding substance, which is a second binding substance that specifically binds with the target substance having photoresponsive labels attached thereto, are mixed with the liquid sample such that binding reactions occur. A magnetic field is generated within a sample cell, to draw the magnetic binding substance to a local region. Excitation light is irradiated only onto a predetermined region including the local region while the magnetic binding substance is drawn to the local region, causing the photoresponsive labels present therein to generate optical signals. The optical signals are detected.

Abstract: A fluorescence sensor is constituted by: a light source, for emitting excitation light of a predetermined wavelength; a dielectric block, formed of a material that transmits the excitation light; a metal film, formed on a surface of the dielectric block; a non flexible film of a hydrophobic material, formed on the metal film at a film thickness within a range of 10 to 100 nm; a sample holding portion, for holding a sample such that the sample contacts the non flexible film; an incident optical system, for causing the excitation light to enter the interface between the dielectric block and the metal film through the dielectric block such that conditions for total internal reflection are satisfied; and fluorescence detecting means, for detecting fluorescence emitted by a substance within the sample, which is excited by evanescent waves that leak from the interface when the excitation light enters the interface.

Abstract: A sensor unit of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay system includes a transparent dielectric medium. A thin film has a first surface and a sensing surface. The first surface is connected with the dielectric medium to constitute an interface. The sensing surface is back to the first surface, for detecting (bio) chemical reaction. A flow cell block has a flow channel for flowing of the sample to the sensing surface. Attenuated total reflection of illuminating light is checked at the interface, to analyze interaction between ligand and analyte as samples. The flow channel includes a first inner surface, disposed opposite to the sensing surface to extend along, for passing the sample to flow between. The first inner surface has a height, defined with reference to the sensing surface, and in a range of 200-500 microns.

Abstract: A fluorescence sensor comprises a sensor section for collecting a fluorescent substance, which acts to represent presence of a substance to be detected in a sample, and an exciting light source, which produces exciting light for exciting the fluorescent substance to produce fluorescence. Besides the exciting light source, at least one different non-exciting light source is located for irradiating different non-exciting light, which varies in wavelength from the exciting light and which is substantially free from capability of exciting the fluorescent substance, to the sensor section.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance assay apparatus is loaded with a sensor unit. A sensing surface of a thin film detects reaction of a sample. A dielectric prism is overlaid with the thin film to constitute an interface. A reflection angle upon occurrence of attenuated total reflection of the illuminating light is changeable according to reaction of the sample on the sensing surface. Protecting panels are disposed to face outer surfaces of the prism, for covering and protecting at least partially the outer surfaces. A first window in one of the protecting panels is positioned on a path of the illuminating light traveling for incidence on the interface, for passing the illuminating light. A second window in one remaining protecting panel is positioned on a path of the illuminating light traveling upon reflection by the interface, for passing the illuminating light.

Abstract: In a device for mass spectrometry, an analyte contained in a sample is desorbed from a surface of the device by irradiating the sample in contact with the surface with measurement light. The device includes a micro-structure having a plurality of metal bodies on a surface of a substrate, and the plurality of metal bodies have sizes that can excite localized plasmons by irradiation with the measurement light. Further, the device includes an initiator fixed at least to a part of a surface of the micro-structure.

Abstract: A sample is supplied onto the sensor portion of a sensor chip. An excitation light beam is irradiated to generate an enhanced optical field to be generated on the sensor portion. Fluorescent labels are excited, and the amount of a detection target substance is detected, based on the amount of light which is generated due to excitation of the fluorescent labels. A first electric charge is present on the surface of the sensor portion. A fluorescent substance having fluorescent pigment molecules which are enveloped in a light transmitting material that transmits fluorescence generated by the fluorescent pigment molecules, the surfaces of which are charged with second electric charges opposite the first electric charge on the surface are employed as the fluorescent labels. The fluorescent substance is attracted to the sensor portion by static electric interactions between the two charges.

Abstract: A sensor-chip includes a sensor-portion having at least a metal-layer deposited on a surface of a dielectric-plate. A fluorescent-label binding-substance in an amount corresponding to the amount of a detection-target-substance in a liquid-sample binds onto the sensor-portion. The amount of the detection-target-substance is detected based on the amount of light generated by excitation of a fluorescent-label in the fluorescent-label binding-substance. A fluorescent-substance the charge state of which changes in the liquid-sample according to the pH of the liquid-sample, and which contains a plurality of fluorescent-dye-molecules enclosed by a material that transmits fluorescence output from the fluorescent-dye-molecules, is used as the fluorescent-label.

Abstract: A sensor chip including a sensor portion that has at least a metal layer deposited on a surface of a dielectric plate is used. A fluorescent-label binding-substance in an amount corresponding to the amount of a detection target substance in a liquid sample binds onto the sensor-portion. The amount of the detection target substance is detected based on the amount of light generated by excitation of a fluorescent label in the fluorescent-label binding substance. An electrified fluorescent substance containing a plurality of fluorescent dye molecules enclosed by a material that transmits fluorescence output from the plurality of fluorescent dye molecules is used as the fluorescent label. The electrified fluorescent substance is attracted to the sensor portion by applying voltage to the liquid sample in a state in which the fluorescent-label binding substance has bound to the sensor portion. In this state, the amount of the detection target substance is detected.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes a sensor-portion having at least a metal-layer deposited on a surface of a dielectric-plate. A fluorescent-label binding-substance in an amount corresponding to the amount of a detection target substance in a sample binds to the sensor-portion when the sample is placed in contact with the sensor-portion. The sensor-portion is irradiated with excitation-light to generate an enhanced electric-field on the sensor-portion. The amount of the detection target substance is detected based on the amount of light generated by excitation of a fluorescent-label in the fluorescent-label binding-substance in the enhanced electric-field.

Abstract: A fluorescent substance having fluorescent pigment molecules, which are enveloped in a light transmitting material that transmits fluorescence generated by the fluorescent pigment molecules, is employed as fluorescent labels in a detecting method the detects the amount of a detection target substance based on the amount of light which is generated due to excitation of the fluorescent labels. The fluorescent substance is excited by evanescent waves which are generated due to leakage from an optical waveguide mode.