Patent ID: 6340448
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A surface plasmon sensor comprising:a dielectric block, a metal film which is formed on one face of the dielectric block and is brought into contact with a sample, a light source emitting a light beam, an optical system which causes the light beam to enter the dielectric block so that the light beam is reflected in total reflection at an interface of the dielectric block and the metal film and various angles of incidence of the light beam to the interface of the dielectric block and the metal film including an angle of incidence at which surface plasmon is generated can be obtained, and a photodetector means which is able to detect the intensity of the light beam reflected in total reflection from the interface for the various angles of incidence, wherein the improvement comprises that a laser provided with an oscillation wavelength stabilizing means for stabilizing the wavelength at which the laser oscillates is used as the light source.