Abstract:
The use of a high power and an incoherent light source to reduce noise associated when investigating unknown molecules in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems. High power and incoherent light sources can improve resolution and accuracy of SPR system measurements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a physical phenomenon that is commonly used to investigate the binding properties of chemical and biological molecules. Analytes may bind to immobilized probe molecules on a metal film, altering a resonance characteristic of the surface plasmon and changing the refractive index around the metal film. SPR systems can detect such changes in refractive index. These changes can be measured as an angle shift or alternatively, as a wavelength shift. 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  shows a SPR measurement system. A light source  11  projects a beam of light onto a target  12 . The light is reflected off the target onto a photo detector  13 . 
         [0003]    Some SPR systems use incoherent sources such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The LED can give adequate performance under some conditions, but its broad spectrum of incoherent light poses a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) problem that makes it unsuitable when high resolution and accuracy are needed. 
         [0004]    Resolution and accuracy of measurement results can be improved moderately by increasing the power of an incoherent light source in a SPR system. As optical power increases, SNR of the measured signal at photo detector  13  improves. Unfortunately, this approach does not fully solve the problem because LEDs provide limited power density due to their inherent design. 
         [0005]    To overcome this limitation, a laser can be used in place of a LED. A laser can provide the optical power density necessary to facilitate tests with better resolution. A laser under normal operating conditions, i.e. when driven well above the threshold, produces high power and coherent light. But under these normal operating conditions, high power coherent light sources introduce optical interference that leads to distorted measurements because of random shifts in standing wave patterns. These shifts in the standing wave patterns degrade the ability of an SPR measurement system to resolve minute changes in the refractive index and, therefore, limit the ability of the system to measure binding analytes. 
         [0006]    There remains a need for a way to improve the resolution and accuracy of SPR systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An optical system according to an embodiment of the invention includes an optical source, a target including a reflective surface and a detector. The optical source generates an incoherent light beam with a source line width of about 0.1 nm to 20 nm. The target receives the light beam and produces reflected light indicative of a change in refractive index at the reflective surface. The detector receives the reflected light. In some embodiments, analytes in a test bed are adsorbed onto the reflective surface. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional SPR measurement system of the prior art. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a range of source line widths for high sensitivity SPR sensing. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a modular representation of a SPR system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  describes the optical source shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  describes the detector shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  describes the target shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates in detail an embodiment of the SPR system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a metal film and immobilized probes. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a graph of a SPR measurement done by angle shift approach. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  shows a modular representation of the optical source and a motor. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates in detail the SPR system shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  shows a flow chart of the measurement process of a SPR system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13A-E  illustrates embodiments of an incoherent and high power light source. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a novel SPR system embodying the invention uses an innovative light source having an incoherent output. The system  10  includes an optical source  21  containing the innovative light source, a target  22  and a detector  23 . Light follows an optical path  26  from the optical source  21  to the target  22 . Light reflected from the target is captured by the detector  23 . In some embodiments, a processor  24  is connected to the optical source, the target and the detector via electrical cables  25 , to control the measurement and analysis. 
         [0022]    A range of suitable light source line widths for high sensitivity SPR sensing is approximately 0.1 nm to 20 nm. This is shown in  FIG. 2 . For an incoherent light source to resolve the resonance dip of typical SPR systems, the spectral width or source line width must be smaller than the spectral width of the SPR resonance. In typical SPR sensing systems, light sources with a source line width greater than 20 nm will be less accurate in resolving the resonance dip and will affect sensitivity. Conversely, a highly coherent light source with a source line width of less than 0.1 nm degrades the system&#39;s ability to measure analytes due to noise related to optical interference. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates the optical source  21  shown in  FIG. 3 . The optical source consists of the innovative light source  212  and an optional optical element  214  which may be a focusing lens or a set of lenses. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates the detector  23  shown in  FIG. 3 . The detector  23  includes a photo detector  234  that receives light from the target  22 . This light may pass through an optional optical element  232 , e.g. a set of imaging lenses as shown. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates the target  22  shown in  FIG. 3 . The target may comprise a momentum matching optical device  222 , a metal film  224  and a test bed  226 . In this embodiment, the metal film is adhered to a surface of the momentum matching optical device. In other embodiments, the metal film, in the form of a metal grating, can emulate the function of the momentum matching device. The test bed facilitates the flow of analytes and is placed below the surface of the momentum matching device and the metal film. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows in detail the various components that make up the first embodiment of the SPR system  10 . The innovative light source  212  with a high power incoherent output is focused upon a momentum matching optical device  222  through an optional focusing lens  214 . A three sided transparent prism  2221 , made of glass or plastic, is shown as an embodiment of a momentum matching optical device. 
         [0027]    Metal film  224 , e.g. gold, silver or aluminum, is coated to a surface of the prism  2221 .  FIG. 8  shows immobilized probes  82  chemically bound to the metal film. These immobilized probes, or molecules of matching specificity (to the analytes), trigger the binding of analytes  84  to the metal film. 
         [0028]    The analytes  84 , or molecules under test, are exposed to the metal film  224 , e.g. through a cavity in the test bed  226  that allows the analytes to bind with immobilized probes  82 . The test bed regulates the flow of the analytes, e.g. by a motorized pump (not shown). 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the light source  212  is aimed through optional focusing lens  214  at the metal film  224  at an angle θ, referred to as the angle of incidence. 
         [0030]    As analytes  84  bind to the immobilized probes  82  on the metal film  224 , the refractive index of surface  72  changes. The refractive index of this surface determines the amount of light absorbed or alternatively reflected onwards. 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a graph of an SPR measurement using the angle shift method. The angle of incidence is varied to determine a high level of reflectance  92  and then minimum reflectance  94 ; the latter also referred to as “reflectance minima” or “surface plasmon resonance angle”. At reflectance minima, incident light is most strongly absorbed at surface  72  or correspondingly the least amount of light reflected onwards. As the angle of incidence is increased from reflectance minima, light absorption at surface  72  decreases and correspondingly intensity of reflected light off surface  72  increases. 
         [0032]    The binding of analytes  84  changes the refractive index around the metal film creating a change in surface plasmon resonance angle. In the angle shift method the changes in surface plasmon resonance angle are measured to determine the binding characteristics of the analytes. 
         [0033]    In other embodiments, dielectric materials can be used with the metal film  224  to increase sensitivity of binding analytes at the metal surface. 
         [0034]    Throughout the process described above, light reflected out prism  2221  is collected through an optional imaging lens  232  and onward into a photo detector  234 . 
         [0035]    The processor  24  may control the light source  212 , the test bed  226  and the collection of data from the photo detector  234 . 
         [0036]    The optical power of the reflected light is measured at the photo detector  234  and the processor  24  records a value for the optical power received. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates a modular diagram  28  where the optical source  21  is connected to a motor  216  that moves the optical source to mechanically alter the angle of incidence. 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  illustrates in detail this modular diagram described above as a second embodiment of the SPR system  10 . The processor  24  controls the motor  216 , which in turn mechanically alters the angle of incidence of the light source  212 . As described earlier, the processor controls the test bed  226 , which in turn regulates the flow of the analytes. Similarly, the optical power of the reflected light is measured at the photo detector  234  and the processor records a value for the optical power received corresponding to an angle of incidence at the light source. 
         [0039]      FIG. 12  details the measurement process in a flow chart. Measurements may begin with the reference test bed by sweeping the angle of incident light over the target block to identify a high level of reflectance or brightness (Block  121 ). The flow within the test bed is regulated to facilitate the movement of analytes and subsequently the adsorption rate of analytes to immobile probes. As the angle of incidence is altered, the surface plasmon resonance angle is continuously monitored by observing the reflectance minima followed by a high level of brightness (Block  122  and  123 ). Tests are then repeated for a sample test bed. Blocks  124 ,  125  and  126  correspond to Blocks  121 ,  122  and  123  for the respective sample and reference test bed processes. The sample and reference surface plasmon resonance angles are compared i.e. subtracted to eliminated common mode effects (Block  127 ). In this manner, information about the binding characteristics of the analytes is determined, e.g. amount and rate of binding (Block  128  and  129 ). This measurement procedure is one example of an angle shift method used in SPR sensing.  FIG. 9  illustrates results derived from an angle shift method. 
         [0040]    The flow described above can be done by an individual manually or with the aid of software and the processor in an automated setting. 
         [0041]    In a third embodiment of a SPR system, the processor  24  alters the wavelength of a wavelength-tunable light source and measures the corresponding intensity at the photo detector  234 . An intensity minimum will occur when the wavelength of the incident light equals the surface plasmon resonance wavelength. In a manner analogous to the angle shift method described above, changes in the surface plasmon resonance wavelength are monitored and correlated with the binding of molecules to the immobilized probes. 
         [0042]    Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) devices are examples of embodiments of the innovative light source  212 . ASEs devices are used to create incoherent radiation at high brightness. ASE is caused by spontaneous emission that becomes amplified through stimulated emissions. Examples of ASE devices are LEDs that are specially designed so that a large portion of the emitted light is produced by the phenomenon of ASE. Other examples are Superluminescent LEDs (SLED), pumped fiber and solid state sources. ASE devices can also be used with an optical power amplifier-filter as examples of the innovative light source. 
         [0043]    An optical power amplifier-filter is a combination of an optical spectral filter and an optical power amplifier. An optical spectral filter narrows the spectral width of the source to within 0.1 nm to 20 nm. An optical power amplifier magnifies the output power. The optical power amplifier-filter may also be placed anywhere in the light path between optical source  21  and the detector  23  as long as the optical system behaves linearly with respect to the optical field. 
         [0044]    Examples of other sources that can be used in conjunction with an optical power amplifier-filter as embodiments for the innovative light source  212  are light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and off-the-shelf LEDs. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13-A  illustrates a SLED  131  with an optical spectral filter  141  as an embodiment of the innovative light source  212 . The SLED has a very high incoherency property and falls outside the required line width but a suitable optical output power. When used in conjunction with an optical spectral filter to narrow the spectral width, the resulting filtered output  151  has its line width within 0.1 nm to 20 nm. The optical power may be attenuated by the filter but still suitable for this application. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 13-B  a SLED  132  has desirable incoherency output characteristics but insufficient optical power. It is used in conjunction with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)  142  to produce a suitable optical power. The resulting output  152  meets the requirements of the innovative light source  212 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 13-C  combines the embodiments shown in  FIG. 13-A  and  FIG. 13-B . A SLED  133  with a low power output as well as very high incoherency property is used in conjunction with an optical spectral filter  141  and a SOA  142 . The resultant output  153  meets the desired line width and optical power requirements. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment of an innovative light source  212 ,  FIG. 13-D  illustrates a fiber Bragg grating  510 , Erbium doped fiber  520 , pumped fiber light source  540  and a coupler  530 . The fiber Bragg grating, a set of spectrally selective mirrors, performs the optical spectral filtering function. The pumped fiber light source is coupled into the Erbium doped fiber cable through a coupler region. The coupled output is amplified by the Erbium doped cable and reflected off the fiber Bragg grating to confine the line width and output power to within the range desired. 
         [0049]    Yet another embodiment of an innovative light source  212 ,  FIG. 13-E  incorporates a fiber Bragg grating  512  into the internal structure of a SLED  134 . In this embodiment, a waveguide  610  acts as an internal conduit for the light output and is amplified by an optical gain region  620  and spectrally filtered by the fiber Bragg grating  512 .