Grating and waveguide plasmonic sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth University
Department Name: Sch of Computing & Mathematics
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- Plymouth University (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN (Collaboration)
- ASTON UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- University of Navarra (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- University of Bergen (Collaboration)
- Cyprus University of Technology (Collaboration)
- University of Florence (Collaboration)
Publications
Allsop T
(2019)
Low-dimensional nano-patterned surface fabricated by direct-write UV-chemically induced geometric inscription technique
in Optics Letters
Allsop T
(2016)
Photonic gas sensors exploiting directly the optical properties of hybrid carbon nanotube localized surface plasmon structures
in Light: Science & Applications
Allsop T
(2018)
Laser-sculpted hybrid photonic magnetometer with nanoscale magnetostrictive interaction
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Allsop T
(2018)
Methane detection scheme based upon the changing optical constants of a zinc oxide/platinum matrix created by a redox reaction and their effect upon surface plasmons
in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical
Allsop T
(2012)
Formation and Characterization of Ultra-Sensitive Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based Upon a Nano-Scale Corrugated Multi-Layered Coated D-Shaped Optical Fiber
in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
Description | We have developed a sensor based on an optical fibre or other waveguide that of itself provides very high sensitivity to refractive index. Importantly, the geometry of the device has allowed us to attach a variety of coating materials providing a specific response to target species. Two major demonstrations involving radically different coatings have been carried out so far. Firstly we have shown that a coating of carbon nanotubes provides a specific detection of carbon dioxide at room temperature. This is the first utilisation of the optical properties of carbon nanotubes for this purpose and importantly opens up a range of applications as carbon nanotubes can be processed to respond to different gases. Secondly we have used a coating of aptamers, which are short nucleic acid like molecules that can be synthesised in the laboratory to respond to a huge array of chemical and biochemical species. We have shown that our devices can detect concentrations of thrombin down to the 50 attomolar level without additional enhancement techniques and reveal real time kinetic behaviour. The selectivity of the technique has also been demonstrated using sequences of DNA. We have just published the final work in this series. it marks 3 years since the end of the extended grant, and highlights how difficult it is to gain follow-on funding. |
Exploitation Route | The sensing approach developed in this work is very generic and can be taken forward in many areas. Our current focus is on obtaining funding to develop sensors to provide real time, remote environmental monitoring of chemical and biochemical pollutants. We are still exploring opportunies with the agrichemicals sector. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | We have a 6 month extension until June 2016. I expect to contribute to this section next year. We have started exploitation through establishing partnerships in agriculture and medicine these last few years. We are continuing to explore possible projects with the University of Lincoln. Although the lack of full time contract with Tom Allsop, a key researcher in this work, hampers his focus on future projects. Tom is still awaiting a full time position in the UK, or the EU or China. He is currently a researcher in Spain. I find it outrageous that such a skilled physicist cannot find a permanent position here in the UK. He will be a significant loss to UK Plc. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Aston University |
Organisation | Aston University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Sensor device fabrication |
Collaborator Contribution | Assisting with experimental procedures for biochemical sensing |
Impact | Paper under review |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Cyprus University of Technology |
Organisation | Cyprus University of Technology |
Department | Department of Electrical Engineering, |
Country | Cyprus |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Preparation of sensor devices |
Collaborator Contribution | Assistance in fs machining of structures and sensor analysis |
Impact | "Photonic gas sensors exploiting directly the optical properties of hybrid carbon nanotube localized surface plasmon structures", Light: Science & Applications, 2016 "Highly sensitive, localized surface plasmon resonance fiber device for environmental sensing, based upon a structured bi-metal array of nano-wires", Optics Letters, Vol. 39, Issue 20, pp. 5798-5801, 2014. "Physical characteristics of localized surface plasmons resulting from nano-scale structured multi-layer thin films deposited on D-shaped optical fiber," Optics Express, Vol. 21 Issue 16, pp.18765-18776, 2013. "Formation and characterisation of ultra-sensitive surface plasmon resonance sensor based upon a nano-scale corrugated multi-layered coated D-shaped optical fibre", Jn. Quantum Electronics Vol. 48, No. 3 pp.394-405, 2012. "Localized surface plasmon fiber device coated with carbon nanotubes for the specific detection of CO2", SPIE Optics+Photonics, San Diego, USA, 2015 "An ultra-sensitive localised surface plasmon resonance fibre device for environmental sensing based upon a structured bi-metal coating", OFS23, Proc. SPIE Vol. 9157, 91574M, Santander, Spain, 2-6 June 2014. "Generation and performance of localised surface plasmons utilising nano-scale structured multi-layered thin films deposited upon D-shaped optical fiber", SPIE Optics+Photonics, Nanoengineering: Fabrication, Properties, Optics, and Devices X, San Diego, California, USA, 2013. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Florence |
Organisation | University of Florence |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Designing and fabricating sensing platforms to take advantage of aptamer coating provided by collaborator |
Collaborator Contribution | Aptamer coating to render the devices highly selective. Specific detection of thrombin and DNA demonstrated. |
Impact | papers submitted to ACS |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | National Centre for Food Manufacturing |
Organisation | University of Lincoln |
Department | National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Designing sensor for possible farming and agriculture applications |
Collaborator Contribution | Planning of experiments aimed to support future grant proposal |
Impact | Still at the point of planning experiments |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Nottingham |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Department | Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Designing and fabricating sensing platforms to take advantage of molecular imprintin |
Collaborator Contribution | Coating our sensor platform with molecular imprinting medium |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | UiT Norges arktiske universitet |
Organisation | University of Bergen |
Department | Department of Physics and Technology |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Fabrication of sensor platform for coating |
Collaborator Contribution | Immobilisation of recognition molecules on the sensor |
Impact | Experiments currently in progress |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | University of Navarre |
Organisation | University of Navarra |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Sensor design for testing molecular imprinting technique |
Collaborator Contribution | Discussion of experiments |
Impact | Experiments at discussion stage |
Start Year | 2015 |
Title | LOCALISED SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE IN AN OPTICAL FIBER COMPRISING A SURFACE PLASMON SUPPORTING LAYER AND A NANOMATERIAL LAYER |
Description | A localised surface plasmon generator in which nanoscale structures are used at an surface plasmon supporting interface to enhance the sensitivity of the apparatus to certain materials. The surface plasmon generator comprises an optical waveguide (34) having a surface plasmon supporting layer (18) formed on an outer surface thereof. The optical waveguide has refractive index modulations, and the surface plasmon supporting layer includes a layer of nanomaterial (650) at its outermost surface. |
IP Reference | WO2014118519 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | non yet |