Optically encoded particles through porosity variation
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsMichael J. Sailor, Shawn O. Meade
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Abstract
The invention concerns a particle having a code from a library of codes embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle. In preferred embodiments, a thin film possesses porosity that varies in a manner to produce a code detectable in the reflectivity spectrum. An assay detection method uses such a particle and detects a spectral shift in the presence of an analyte. Additional embodiments are disclosed including additional features.
Claims17
A traceable encoded micron-sized semiconductor particle or insulator particle having an integral and ordered physical multi-layer porosity structure with multiple porosity interfaces between consecutive multiple porosity layers, the multiple porosity layers having multiple optical thicknesses, wherein the physical multi-layer porosity structure of the multiple porosity interfaces, multiple porosity layers and multiple optical thicknesses is tailored with an optical signature in the form of an interference pattern in a reflectivity spectrum specifying the computer waveform that etched the particle.
A library of optically traceable encoded particles, comprising a plurality of particles, wherein each individual particle has a unique integral and ordered physical multi-layer porosity structure with multiple porosity interfaces between consecutive multiple porosity layers, the multiple porosity layers having multiple optical thicknesses, wherein the physical multi-layer porosity structure of the multiple porosity interfaces, multiple porosity layers and multiple optical thicknesses is tailored with an optical signature in the form of an interference pattern in a reflectivity spectrum specifying the computer waveform that etched the particle.
A traceable encoded micro-sized semiconductor particle or insulator particle, comprising:
- a first porous layer, with a first porosity;
- and
- a second porous layer with a second porosity that is different than the first porosity,
- wherein the porosity of the first porous layer transitions to the second porous layer through a gradual or abrupt porosity interface, and
- wherein the first porosity, the second porosity, and the transition from the first porous layer to the second porous layer is tailored and configured to produce an optical signature defined by an interference pattern in a reflectivity spectrum specifying the computer waveform that etched the particle,
- wherein at least one of the first and second porous layers provides an exposed planar surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.