Structured substrates for optical surface profiling
AssigneeTrustees of Boston University
InventorsM. Selim Unlu, David A. Bergstein, Michael F. Ruane, Bennett B. Goldberg
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Abstract
This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.
Claims20
A layered substrate for a direct reflectivity method for optically profiling the height of a substrate, the substrate comprising
- a base layer,
- at least one coating layer having a refractive index different from the refractive index of said base layer, wherein said base layer is Si and said one coating layer is SiO2, and wherein said coating layer has a thickness of between about 1 micron and about 20 microns, and
- a plurality of spatially distinct binding locations, wherein each of said binding locations comprises capture molecules bound to the topmost coating layer.
A layered substrate for a split beam interferometry method for optically profiling the height of a substrate, the substrate comprising:
- a base layer;
- at least one coating layer having a refractive index different from the refractive index of said base layer, wherein said base layer is Si and said one coating layer is SiO2, and wherein said coating layer has a thickness of about 270 nm;
- and
- a plurality of spatially distinct binding locations, wherein each of said binding locations comprises capture molecules bound to the topmost coating layer.
A layered substrate for imaging height changes of a coating layer thereon via an optical detection apparatus,
- wherein the layered substrate comprises:
- a silicon (Si) base layer;
- a silicon dioxide (SiO2) coating layer;
- and
- a plurality of spatially distinct binding locations, each comprising capture molecules bound to the top surface of the SiO2 coating layer,
- and wherein the layered substrate is disposed within the optical detection apparatus, the optical detection apparatus comprising:
- a light source positioned above the layered substrate to provide an illumination beam from above and onto the layered substrate, the illumination beam being directed substantially perpendicular to an uppermost surface of the layered substrate;
- and
- a photodetector array positioned to capture and image light reflected from the layered substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.