Surface plasmon resonance sensors and method for detecting samples using the same

1. An optical sensing device comprising:

a source unit, comprising:

a source emitting a beam of light containing p-polarization and s-polarization components, and

a phase modulator modulating a phase retardation between the p-polarization and s-polarization components;

a reference unit, configured to receive a first part of the light, thereby providing a reference signal indicating the modulated phase retardation;

a SPR sensing unit, configured to receive a second part of the light, thereby inducing a phase retardation change between the p-polarization and s-polarization components due to SPR associated with a sample;

a probe unit, configured to receive the light passing the SPR sensing unit thereby providing a probe signal indicating the phase retardation change induced by the SPR sensing unit; and

a detection unit, coupled between the reference unit and the probe unit to detect biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of the sample by comparing the reference signal with the probe signal.

2. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the phase modulator is a liquid crystal modulator and the phase retardation is continuously modulated by the liquid crystal modulator.

3. The optical sensing device according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises one liquid crystal layer.

4. The optical sensing device according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises two or more liquid crystal layers stacked together.

5. The optical sensing device according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises two mirrors and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the mirrors.

6. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the source unit is a gas laser, a solid state laser, a laser diode, a light emitting diode, or a broad band white light source.

7. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the source unit further comprises:

a polarizer for selecting an intensity ratio between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the light emitted from the source; and

a beam splitter for separating the modulated light into the first part and the second part.

8. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference unit comprises:

a polarizer employed to form an interference between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the first part of light; and

a photodetector detecting the interference and converting an optical intensity variation of the interference to the reference signal indicating the phase retardation.

9. The optical sensing device according to claim 8 , wherein the photodetector is a photo-diode or a photo charge coupled device.

10. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing unit comprises:

a prism;

a transducing layer coated on a surface of the prism to serve as a sensing surface; and

a sample flow chamber associated with the prism allowing the sample flowing through the sensing surface.

11. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the probe unit comprises:

a polarizer employed to form an interference between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the second part of light; and

a photodetector detecting the interference and converting an optical intensity variation of the interference to the probe signal indicating the phase retardation change induced by the SPR sensing unit.

12. The optical sensing device according to claim 11 , wherein the photodetector is a photo-diode or a photo charge coupled device.

13. The optical sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit comprises:

a phase meter for measuring a differential phase between the reference signal and the probe signal; and

a microprocessor for determining the biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of the sample in accordance with the differential phase.

14. A method of detecting biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of a sample comprising:

transmitting a beam of light containing p-polarization and s-polarization components;

modulating a phase retardation between the p-polarization and s-polarization components;

providing a reference signal indicating the phase retardation by receiving a first part of the light;

receiving a second part of the light to induce a phase retardation change between the p-polarization and s-polarization components due to SPR associated with a sample;

providing a probe signal indicating the phase retardation change by receiving the light after SPR associated with the sample; and

detecting biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of the sample by comparing the probe signal with the reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the phase retardation is continuously modulated by a liquid crystal modulator through varying a drive voltage of the liquid crystal modulator.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the drive voltage of the liquid crystal modulator is varied from 0v to 13v and a frequency of the liquid modulator is set to be 10 Hz.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises one liquid crystal layer, and a thickness of the liquid crystal layer is designed so that a modulation depth of the liquid crystal modulator is greater than 2π.

18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises two or more liquid crystal layers stacked together to form a multi-layered modulator, and the number of the liquid crystal layers and a thickness of each liquid crystal layer are designed so that a modulation depth of the liquid crystal modulator is greater than 2π.

19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the liquid crystal modulator comprises two mirrors and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the mirrors, and a thickness of the liquid crystal layer and a position of the mirrors and liquid crystal layer are designed so that a modulation depth of the liquid crystal modulator is greater than 2π.

20. The method according to claim 14 , wherein said transmitting a beam of light further comprises selecting an intensity ratio between the p-polarization and s-polarization components.

21. The method according to claim 14 , wherein said providing a reference signal comprises:

generating an interference between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the first part of light by means of a polarizer; and

converting an optical intensity variation of the interference to the reference signal.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the reference signal is used to monitor an effect of temperature variation.

23. The method according to claim 14 , wherein said receiving a second part of light to induce a phase retardation change comprises:

allowing the sample flowing through a chamber of an SPR sensor; and

subjecting the second part of the light to passing through the SPR sensor so that the phase retardation between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the second part of light is changed due to the SPR at the SPR sensor.

24. The method according to claim 14 , wherein said providing a probe signal comprises:

generating an interference between the p-polarization and s-polarization components of the light after SPR by means of a polarizer; and

converting an optical intensity variation of the interference to the probe signal.

25. The method according to claim 14 , wherein said detecting the biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of the sample comprises:

measuring a differential phase between the reference signal and the probe signal; and

determining biological, biochemical, or chemical characteristics of the sample in accordance with the differential phase.