Method for producing a colorimetric resonant reflection biosensor on rigid surfaces

1. A method for fabrication of a colorimetric resonant reflection bio sensor structure comprising:

(a) applying a liquid or semi-solid material that is capable of being transformed or cured into a flexible solid over a rigid master structure;

(b) transforming the liquid or semi-solid material into a flexible master structure, wherein the flexible master structure has the rigid master structure embossed into a first surface of the flexible master structure;

(c) peeling the flexible master structure from the rigid master structure;

(d) placing the first surface of the flexible master structure onto a liquid or semi-solid layer, wherein the liquid or semi-solid layer is on a rigid substrate;

(e) transforming or curing the liquid or semi-solid layer into a solid layer;

(f) peeling the flexible master structure from the solid layer; and

(g) applying a high refractive index dielectric film or reflective material over the solid layer,

whereby a colorimetric resonant reflection biosensor structure is fabricated.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of immobilizing one or more specific binding substances to the high refractive index film or reflective material, whereby a colorimetric resonant reflection biosensor is fabricated.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rigid master structure is etched into the surface of a silicon or glass wafer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or semi-solid layer is epoxy, a polymer, a cement, a solvent free radiation addition polymerizable crosslinkable material or a resin.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the crosslinkable material is an acrylate epoxy urethane based material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or semi-solid material is polydimethylsiloxane.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein an adhesion-enhancing thin film is placed between the liquid or semi-solid layer and the rigid substrate before the first surface of the flexible master structure is placed on the liquid or semi-solid layer.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rigid substrate is glass, plastic, polymer or epoxy.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or semi-solid layer is transformed or cured by an electron beam, ultraviolet light or heat.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible master structure comprises a grating pattern selected from the group consisting of squares, triangles, sinusoidal waves, inverted “u” shapes, lines, circles, ellipses, trapezoids, ovals, rectangles, hexagons, phase-quantized terraced surface relief patterns whose groove pattern resembles a stepped pyramid, and concentric rings.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible master structure comprises a grating pattern having a periodic spacing of between about 0.1 microns to about 2.0 microns.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible master structure comprises a submicron grating pattern.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the grating pattern has a periodic spacing of between about 0.2 microns to about 0.6 microns.