Magnetic nanoparticle-enhanced surface plasmon resonance biosensor for extracellular vesicle analysis.

The sensitive analysis of small lipid extracellular vesicles (EVs) by using a grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance (GC-SPR) biosensor has been reported. In order to enable the analysis of trace amounts of EVs present in complex liquid samples, the target analyte is pre-concentrated on the sensor surface by using magnetic nanoparticles and its affinity binding is probed by wavelength interrogation of SPR. The GC-SPR has been demonstrated to allow for the implementation of efficient pulling of EVs to the sensor surface by using magnetic nanoparticles and an external magnetic field gradient applied through the sensor chip. This approach overcomes slow diffusion-limited mass transfer and greatly enhances the measured sensor response. The specific detection of different EV populations secreted from mesenchymal stem cells is achieved with a SPR sensor chip modified with antibodies against the surface marker CD81 and magnetic nanoparticles binding the vesicles via annexin V and cholera toxin B chain.

Focusing dual-wavelength surface plasmons to the same focal plane by a far-field plasmonic lens.

In this Letter, we demonstrate the nanoscale focusing of surface plasmons (SPs) at two different wavelengths to the same focal plane by a far-field plasmonic lens both numerically and experimentally. The far-field plasmonic lens, which consists of an annular slit and a concentric groove and is capable of focusing dual-wavelength SPs to the same focal plane, is characterized by a scanning near-field optical microscope under both linearly and radially polarized illuminations. The demonstrated far-field plasmonic lens can provide immense opportunities for on-chip photonic applications, including dual-wavelength-based super-resolution imaging and ultra-high-density optical data storage.

Super-resolved pure-transverse focal fields with an enhanced energy density through focus of an azimuthally polarized first-order vortex beam.

We report on the experimental demonstration of super-resolved pure-transverse focal fields through focusing an azimuthally polarized first-order vortex (FOV) beam. The optimized confinement of focal fields by creating constructive interference through the superposition of the FOV on an azimuthally polarized beam is observed by both a scanning near-field microscope and a two-photon fluorescence microscope. An enhanced peak intensity of the focal spot by a factor of 1.8 has been observed compared with that of the unmodulated azimuthally polarized beam. The super-resolved and pure-transverse focal fields with a 31% reduced focal area determined by the full-width at half-maximum compared to that of tightly focused circular polarization is experimentally corroborated. This superiority over the circular polarization stands for any numerical aperture greater than 0.4. This technique holds the potential for applications requiring subwavelength resolution and pure-transverse fields such as high-density optical data storage and high-resolution microscopy.

Microfluidic paper analytic device (µPAD) technology for food safety applications.

Foodborne pathogens, food adulterants, allergens, and toxic chemicals in food can cause major health hazards to humans and animals. Stringent quality control measures at all stages of food processing are required to ensure food safety. There is, therefore, a global need for affordable, reliable, and rapid tests that can be conducted at different process steps and processing sites, spanning the range from the sourcing of food to the end-product acquired by the consumer. Current laboratory-based food quality control tests are well established, but many are not suitable for rapid on-site investigations and are costly. Microfluidic paper analytical devices (µPADs) are a fast-growing field in medical diagnostics that can fill these gaps. In this review, we describe the latest developments in the applications of microfluidic paper analytic device (µPAD) technology in the food safety sector. State-of-the-art µPAD designs and fabrication methods, microfluidic assay principles, and various types of µPAD devices with food-specific applications are discussed. We have identified the prominent research and development trends and future directions for maximizing the value of microfluidic technology in the food sector and have highlighted key areas for improvement. We conclude that the µPAD technology is promising in food safety applications by using novel materials and improved methods to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the assays, with low cost.

Polarization-sensitive characterization of the propagating plasmonic modes in silver nanowire waveguide on a glass substrate with a scanning near-field optical microscope.

In this paper, we report on the experimental investigation of the polarization properties of the plasmonic modes along a silver nanowire waveguide on a glass substrate. Two orthogonal polarization light components at the distal end of the nanowire are observed in the far-field. The near-field mapping with a scanning near-field optical microscopic probe exhibiting an in-plane polarization sensitivity reveals the two polarization components of the propagating plasmonic modes along the nanowire.

UV-Laser Interference Lithography for Local Functionalization of Plasmonic Nanostructures with Responsive Hydrogel.

A novel approach to local functionalization of plasmonic hotspots at gold nanoparticles with biofunctional moieties is reported. It relies on photocrosslinking and attachment of a responsive hydrogel binding matrix by the use of a UV interference field. A thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based (pNIPAAm) hydrogel with photocrosslinkable benzophenone groups and carboxylic groups for its postmodification was employed. UV-laser interference lithography with a phase mask configuration allowed for the generation of a high-contrast interference field that was used for the recording of periodic arrays of pNIPAAm-based hydrogel features with the size as small as 170 nm. These hydrogel arrays were overlaid and attached on the top of periodic arrays of gold nanoparticles, exhibiting a diameter of 130 nm and employed as a three-dimensional binding matrix in a plasmonic biosensor. Such a hybrid material was postmodified with ligand biomolecules and utilized for plasmon-enhanced fluorescence readout of an immunoassay. Additional enhancement of the fluorescence sensor signal by the collapse of the responsive hydrogel binding matrix that compacts the target analyte at the plasmonic hotspot is demonstrated.

Actuated plasmonic nanohole arrays for sensing and optical spectroscopy applications.

Herein, we report a new approach to rapidly actuate the plasmonic characteristics of thin gold films perforated with nanohole arrays that are coupled with arrays of gold nanoparticles. The near-field interaction between the localized and propagating surface plasmon modes supported by the structure was actively modulated by changing the distance between the nanoholes and nanoparticles and varying the refractive index symmetry of the structure. This approach was applied by using a thin responsive hydrogel cushion, which swelled and collapsed by a temperature stimulus. The detailed experimental study of the changes and interplay of localized and propagating surface plasmons was complemented by numerical simulations. We demonstrate that the interrogation and excitation of the optical resonance to these modes allow the label-free SPR observation of the binding of biomolecules, and is applicable for in situ SERS studies of low molecular weight molecules attached in the gap between the nanoholes and nanoparticles.

Tunable laser interference lithography preparation of plasmonic nanoparticle arrays tailored for SERS.

The facile preparation of arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles over a square centimeter surface area is reported. The developed method relies on tailored laser interference lithography (LIL) that is combined with dry etching and it offers means for the rapid fabrication of periodic arrays of metallic nanostructures with well controlled morphology. Adjusting the parameters of the LIL process allows for the preparation of arrays of nanoparticles with a diameter below hundred nanometers independently of their lattice spacing. Gold nanoparticle arrays were precisely engineered to support localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with different damping at desired wavelengths in the visible and near infrared part of the spectrum. The applicability of these substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering is demonstrated where cost-effective, uniform and reproducible substrates are of paramount importance. The role of deviations in the spectral position and the width of the LSPR band affected by slight variations of plasmonic nanostructures is discussed.