Real time monitoring of changes in objects or media
AssigneeCeram Optec Industries, Inc.
InventorsPetr Nikitin, Anatolii Beloglazov
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Abstract
The invention relates to non-contact methods of examining parameters of external actions on various media or objects. Such an action could be of various types, e.g., physical (pressure, heating, electric or magnetic field etc.), chemical (action of various chemical substances and associated reactions: binding, replacement, catalysis etc.), biological (action of microorganisms or viruses on a nutrient medium). The invention can be used in scientific research, technology and environmental monitoring.
Claims18
A method for measuring parameters of an external action on a medium or an object, which comprises the steps of:
- a. specifying a reference relationship between a response signal and an external action on a volume of a sensitive material;
- b. fabricating a composite structure which comprises a metal film deposited on a semiconducting substrate and said sensitive material is placed on a side of said metal film facing away from said semiconducting substrate;
- c. creating an electrical circuit in said composite structure between said metal film and said semiconducting substrate;
- d. illuminating said composite structure with electromagnetic radiation;
- e. exciting a surface electromagnetic wave in said metal film;
- f. creating a response signal in said composite structure as an electric signal which arises in a circuit between said semiconducting substrate and said metal film;
- g. measuring said response signal;
- h. comparing said response signal with said reference relationships to determine parameters of said external action acting on said sensitive material.
A photodetection device for measuring parameters of an external action on a medium or on an object which comprises:
- a source of electromagnetic radiation;
- a composite structure comprising a metal film deposited on a semiconducting substrate such that in operating said device a surface electromagnetic wave is created in said metal film;
- a volume of a material sensitive to said external action producing a modified electric signal in response to exposure to said external action;
- said volume of sensitive material being in contact with said metal film on a surface facing away from said semiconducting substrate;
- an information processing unit;
- and
- inputs of said information processing unit are connected one to said metal film and another to said semiconducting substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.