Measuring system using optical waveguide, measuring device, measuring method, optical waveguide type sensor chip, and magnetic fine particle
According to one embodiment, a measuring system using an optical waveguide is provided. The measuring system has an optical waveguide, magnetic fine particles, a magnetic field applying unit, a light source and a light receiving element. The optical waveguide has a sensing area to which first substances having a property of specifically bonding to subject substances to be measured are fixed. Second substances having a property of specifically bonding to the subject substances are fixed to the magnetic fine particle. The magnetic field applying unit generates a magnetic field for moving the magnetic fine particles. The light source inputs a light into the optical waveguide. The light receiving element receives the light output from the optical waveguide.
1. A measuring system which uses an optical waveguide comprising:
an optical waveguide having a sensing area to which first substances having a property of specifically bonding to subject substances to be measured are fixed;
magnetic fine particles to which second substances having a property of specifically bonding to the subject substances are fixed;
a magnetic field applying unit to generate a magnetic field for moving the magnetic fine particles, the magnetic field applying unit including a first magnetic field applying unit which applies a magnetic field in a direction for moving magnetic fine particles which are not combined with a subject substance at the sensing area further away from the optical waveguide without separating magnetic fine particles which are combined with a subject substance at the sensing area;
a light source to input a light into the optical waveguide; and
a light receiving element to receive the light output from the optical waveguide,
wherein the magnetic field applying unit includes a core and a coil provided around the core,
wherein an intensity of the light output from the waveguide is related to an amount of the magnetic fine particles combined with a subject substance, and
wherein the core includes a plurality of core portions, a connection portion mechanically and magnetically connects first end portions of the core portions opposite to second end portions on an side of the sensing area, and a gap is provided between the second end portions.
2. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the sides of the second end portion facing the gap are parallel to a direction in which the light is propagated inside the optical waveguide.
3. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein, in the direction in which the light is propagated inside the optical waveguide, each length of the end surfaces of the second end portion is equal to or longer than the length of the sensing area.
4. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the second portions of the core portions are inclined in a direction in which the end portions are close to each other.
5. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein each part of the core portions are formed so that the cross-sectional area of the part becomes smaller as the part is closer to the sensing area.
6. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the end surfaces of the second portions on the side of the sensing area are flat.
7. A measuring system which uses an optical waveguide comprising:
an optical waveguide having a sensing area to which first substances having a property of specifically bonding to subject substances to be measured are fixed;
magnetic fine particles to which second substances having a property of specifically bonding to the subject substances are fixed;
a magnetic field applying unit to generate a magnetic field for moving the magnetic fine particles, the magnetic field applying unit including a first magnetic field applying unit which applies a magnetic field in a direction for moving magnetic fine particles which are not combined with a subject substance at the sensing area further away from the optical waveguide without separating magnetic fine particles which are combined with a subject substance at the sensing area;
a light source to input a light into the optical waveguide; and
a light receiving element to receive the light output from the optical waveguide,
wherein the magnetic field applying unit includes a core and a coil provided around the core,
wherein an intensity of the light output from the waveguide is related to an amount of the magnetic fine particles combined with a subject substance, and
wherein the core has a structure in which plates coated with insulator and having a magnetic property are stacked in a direction parallel to the magnetic field.
8. The measuring system according to claim 1 , wherein the core portions and the connection portion are separable from each other.