Patent ID: 7869013
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sensor chip assembly for use in a sensor capable of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and gravimetric sensing of a sample, the assembly comprising: a transparent piezoelectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a first thin film metal electrode provided on the first surface of the substrate for contact with said sample and a second thin film metal electrode provided on the second surface of the substrate, said second thin film metal electrode being disposed on said substrate such that a light beam is capable of being transmitted through the second surface of the substrate and reflected from the first thin film metal electrode; an attenuated total reflection (ATR) coupler disposed adjacent to the second thin film metal electrode for coupling light to said substrate; and a light coupling medium disposed between the ATR coupler and the substrate, said light coupling medium substantially matching the refractive index of the ATR coupler and the substrate and having a low viscosity relative to an index matching oil having a viscosity of 100 cP, wherein in use, a gravimetric signal is generated by applying an oscillating electric field to said first and second thin film metal electrodes and an SPR signal is generated by reflecting a light beam from said first thin film metal electrode that has been transmitted through said ATR coupler, said light coupling medium and said substrate.