WAVELENGTH SELECTIVE SERS NANOTAGS
Wavelength selective particles such as SERS nanotags modified for wavelength selectivity. As used herein, a wavelength selective particle is one which cannot be effectively excited or interrogated at one or more wavelengths where a reporter molecule associated with the particle would normally produce a spectrum. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing wavelength selective particles and methods of tagging materials or objects with wavelength selective particles.
1 . A wavelength selective SERS nanotag comprising:
a SERS enhancing core;
a SERS active reporter molecule associated with the core;
an encapsulant encapsulating the core and reporter association; and
a blocking material associated with the encapsulant that wholly or partially blocks the passage of light energy at a selected wavelength to the reporter molecule, or wholly or partially blocks the radiation of light energy at a selected wavelength from the reporter molecule.
2 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 1 wherein the blocking material comprises a nanorod associated with the encapsulant.
3 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 2 wherein the nanorod is an Au nanorod.
4 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 2 wherein the nanorod is electrostaticly associated with the encapsulant.
5 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 4 further comprising a charged polymer associated with the nanorod; and
an oppositely charged polymer associated with the SERS nanotag.
6 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 1 wherein the blocking material is a dye.
7 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 6 wherein the encapsulant comprises a mesoporous surface.
8 . The wavelength selective SERS nanotag of claim 6 wherein the blocking material is a fluorescent dye.
9 . A wavelength selective SERS nanotag comprising:
a SERS enhancing core;
a SERS active reporter molecule associated with the core;
an encapsulant encapsulating the core and reporter association; and
a masking material associated with the encapsulant that wholly or partially masks light energy radiated at a selected wavelength from the reporter molecule.
10 . A method of manufacturing a wavelength selective SERS nanotag comprising:
providing a SERS enhancing core;
associating a SERS active reporter molecule with the core;
encapsulating the core and reporter association with an encapsulant; and
associating a blocking material with the encapsulant that wholly or partially blocks the passage of light energy at a selected wavelength to the reporter molecule, or wholly or partially blocks the passage of light energy at a selected wavelength radiated from the reporter molecule.
11 . A method of manufacturing a wavelength selective SERS nanotag comprising:
providing a SERS enhancing core;
associating a SERS active reporter molecule with the core;
encapsulating the core and reporter association with an encapsulant; and
associating a masking material with the encapsulant that wholly or partially masks light energy radiated at a selected wavelength from the reporter molecule.