Patent ID: 8107071
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A molecular analysis light detection method comprising: providing a sample plate comprising an enhancing member, the enhancing member being disposed only at a small predetermined area of a sample contact surface contacting with a sample containing a substance to be analyzed, the enhancing member generating an enhancing field when predetermined excitation light is applied, the enhancing field enhancing light generated from the substance to be analyzed at the predetermined area relative to the light at other areas of the sample contact surface; applying the predetermined excitation light to an illumination area, the illumination area containing the predetermined area of the sample contact surface and being larger than the predetermined area; and receiving the light generated from the substance to be analyzed, the light being enhanced by the enhancing field generated by the application of the predetermined excitation light; and detecting at least one of the number and the ease of mobility of the substance to be analyzed that generates light, by processing signals representing the light, using an autocorrelation technique; the predetermined small area being small enough to enable processing of the signals representing the light generated within a space defined by the area of the predetermined small area and an effective region of the enhancing field by the autocorrelation technique.