Evanescent wave surface coatings

Figure C 1.5.6. Single Ag nanoparticles imaged with evanescent-wave excitation. (A) Unfiltered photograph showing scattered laser light (514.5 nm) from Ag particles immobilized on a polylysine-coated surface. (B) Bandpass filtered (540-580 nm) photograph taken from a blank Ag colloid sample incubated witli 1 mM NaCl and...

Modified fiber-optic-based sensors can be used for sensing pollutants, explosives, drugs, pharmaceuticals, and miscellaneous organics (Yeh et al. 2006). Optical fibers coated with porous silica can be used to detect the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these compounds can also be detected using fiber-optic-coupled surface plasmon resonance methods. Aromatic compounds were detected by evanescent wave absorption spectroscopy. Suitably modified fiber-optic array tips can be used to detect presence of explosive materials (Wolfbeis 2000). 

DeMarco DV, Lim DV (2001) Direct detection of escherichia coliol57 h7 in unpasterized apple juice with an evanescent wave sensor. J Rapid Meth Automation Micro 9 241-257 Diez A, Andres MV, Cruz JL (2001) In-line fiber-optic sensors based on the excitation of surface plasma modes in metal-coated tapered fibers. Sensors Actuators B Chem 73 95-99 Dostalek J, Ctyroky J, Homola J, Brynda E, Skalsky M, Nekvindova P, Spirkova J, Skvor J, Schrofel J (2001) Surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on integrated optical waveguide. Sensors Actuators B Chem 76 8-12... 

With attenuated total reflection spectroscopy, the light absorption by the electrolyte solution and the cell window is no obstacle. The probe beam enters a crystal transparent for infrared light. It is directed to the outer surface of the crystal, which is coated with a thin layer of the electrode material under investigation. The beam is reflected, but a small part (the evanescent wave) penetrates the surface and thus can probe species located immediately on the electrode surface. The returning beam contains exactly this information. As discussed below (p. 91) in detail, this approach shows also serious limitations. 

FIGURE 21-14 Surface plasmon resonance. Laser radiation is coupled into the glass substrate coated with a thin metal film by a half-cylindrical prism. If total internal reflection occurs, an evanescent wave is generated in the medium of lower refractive Index. This wave can excite surface plasmon waves. When the angle is suitable for surface plasmon resonance, a sharp decrease in the reflected intensity is observed at the detector. 

If the internally reflecting interface is coated with a conducting material, such as a thin metal film, the p-polarized component of the evanescent wave may penetrate the metallic layer and excite surface plasmon waves. If the metal is nonmagnetic, such as a gold film, the surface plasmon wave is also p-polarized, which creates an enhanced evanescent wave. Because of the penetration of the electric field into the lower-refractive-index medium, the interaction is quite sensitive to the refractive index at the metal film surface. When the angle is suitable for surface plasmon resonance, a sharp decrease in the reflected intensity is observed, as can be seen in Figure 21-14. The resonance condition can be related to the refractive index of the metal film and can be used to measure this quantity and other properties of the surface. 

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