Plasmon-enhanced two-channel in situ Kretschmann ellipsometry of protein adsorption, cellular adhesion and polyelectrolyte deposition on titania nanostructures.

Plasmon-enhanced in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry was realized using the Kretschmann geometry. A 10-µL flow cell was designed for multi-channel measurements using a semi-cylindrical lens. Dual-channel monitoring of the layer formation of different organic structures has been demonstrated on titania nanoparticle thin films supported by gold. Complex modeling capabilities as well as a sensitivity of ~40 pg/mm2 with a time resolution of 1 s was achieved. The surface adsorption was enhanced by the titania nanoparticles due to the larger specific surface and nanoroughness, which is consistent with our previous results on titanate nanotubes.

Optical models for the characterization of silica nanosphere monolayers prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett method using ellipsometry in the quasistatic regime.

We investigated different optical models (one-layer, multilayer, parametric multilayer, and statistical parametric) for the ellipsometric characterization of thin films made of silica spheres in the diameter (D) range of 90-450 nm prepared by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. As a continuation of a previous work (Nagy, N., et al. Langmuir 2006, 22, 8416) in terms of threshold wavelength determination and optical models, we investigated the wavelength range of the quasistatic limit (requirement for the effective medium approximation) depending onD.We compared the above models in the aspect of fit quality, stability, uncertainty of parameters, and the amount of information that can be obtained from the evaluation. Besides fundamental properties like diameter, coverage, or packing density, using sophisticated models we can also determine the size distribution of the particles. The ellipsometric results were compared with the results of dynamic light scattering and of scanning electron microscopy.

Integrated planar optical waveguide interferometer biosensors: a comparative review.

Integrated planar optical waveguide interferometer biosensors are advantageous combinations of evanescent field sensing and optical phase difference measurement methods. By probing the near surface region of a sensor area with the evanescent field, any change of the refractive index of the probed volume induces a phase shift of the guided mode compared to a reference field typically of a mode propagating through the reference arm of the same waveguide structure. The interfering fields of these modes produce an interference signal detected at the sensor׳s output, whose alteration is proportional to the refractive index change. This signal can be recorded, processed and related to e.g. the concentration of an analyte in the solution of interest. Although this sensing principle is relatively simple, studies about integrated planar optical waveguide interferometer biosensors can mostly be found in the literature covering the past twenty years. During these two decades, several members of this sensor family have been introduced, which have remarkably advantageous properties. These entail label-free and non-destructive detection, outstandingly good sensitivity and detection limit, cost-effective and simple production, ability of multiplexing and miniaturization. Furthermore, these properties lead to low reagent consumption, short analysis time and open prospects for point-of-care applications. The present review collects the most relevant developments of the past twenty years categorizing them into two main groups, such as common- and double path waveguide interferometers. In addition, it tries to maintain the historical order as it is possible and it compares the diverse sensor designs in order to reveal not only the development of this field in time, but to contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and sensor families, as well.