METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHT CONCENTRATING MECHANISMS
An embodiment relates generally to a method for analysis of a nucleic acid. The method includes providing for a resonant structure configured to couple with one or more fluorescently labeled nucleic acids and directing an excitation light from a source on the resonant structure. The method also includes generating plasmons on the surface of the resonant structure where the analyte is fixed at a point of energy concentration of the resonant structure.
1 . A method for analysis of a nucleic acid, the method comprising:
providing for a resonant structure configured to couple with one or more fluorescently labeled nucleic acids;
directing an excitation light from a source on the resonant structure; and
generating plasmons on the surface of the resonant structure wherein the analyte is fixed at a point of energy concentration of the resonant structure.
2 . A method for analysis of an analyte, the method comprising:
providing for a resonant structure coupled with an analyte;
directing an excitation light from a source on the resonant structure; and
generating plasmons on the surface of the resonant structure, wherein the analyte is complexed with a molecule fixed at a point of energy concentration of the resonant structure through a photoactivatable linker.
3 . The method of claim 2 where the plasmons are used in single molecule sequencing.
4 . The method of claim 2 where the plasmons are used in fluorescent correlation spectroscopy.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure is a nano-particle.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the nanoparticle is one of nanorice, nanorods, nanorings, nanocubes, nanoshells, and nanocrescents.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the plasmons are generated on the periphery of the nanocrescent.
8 . The-method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure is an array of holes.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plasmons are generated on surface of a hole in the array of holes, above the array of holes and through the holes.
10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the excitation light source is a blunt fiber optic tip.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the excitation light source is positioned outside the analyte.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the excitation light source is an array of fiber optic tips.
13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure includes a photonic sub-wavelength waveguide.
14 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure includes a two-dimensional photonic crystal.
15 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure is a nano-antenna.
16 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resonant structure is a bow-tie nano-antenna.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising providing for a coating on the bow-tie antenna, wherein the coating is configured to be of appropriate thickness to substantially prevent quenching.
18 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing for a photo-activatable attachment at the point of energy concentration of the resonant structure.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the photo-activatable attachment is part of single molecule sequencing.
20 . A plasmonic structure, comprising:
a nano-antenna implemented with a metal material and configured to generate an enhancement zone; and
a blocking layer deposited adjacent to a portion of the nano-antenna, wherein the blocking layer is configured to substantially reduce the excitation of fluorophores outside of the enhancement zone.
21 . The plasmonic structure of claim 20 , wherein the blocking layer is implemented with a dielectric.
22 . The plasmonic structure of claim 20 , further comprises a metal layer wherein the evanescent wave excitation zone is generated by SPR through the metal layer.
23 . The plasmonic structure of claim 20 , wherein the evanescent wave excitation zone is generated by TIRE.