Robert G. Lindquist

A reflection-based localized surface plasmon resonance fiber-optic probe for biochemical sensing

We report the fabrication and characterization of an optical fiber biochemical sensing probe based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and spectra reflection. Ordered array of gold nanodots was fabricated on the optical fiber end facet using electron-beam lithography (EBL). We experimentally demonstrated for the first time the blue shift of the LSPR scattering spectrum with respected to the LSPR extinction spectrum, which had been predicted theoretically. High sensitivity [195.72 nm/refractive index unit (RIU)] of this sensor for detecting changes in the bulk refractive indices has been demonstrated. The label-free affinity bio-molecules sensing capability has also been demonstrated using biotin and streptavidin as the receptor and the analyte.

E-Beam Patterned Gold Nanodot Arrays on Optical Fiber Tips for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biochemical Sensing

Electron beam lithography (EBL) was used to directly pattern periodic gold nanodot arrays on optical fiber tips. Localized surface plasmon resonance of the E-beam patterned gold nanodot arrays on optical fiber tips was utilized for biochemical sensing. The advantage of the optical fiber based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors is the convenience to work with and work in harsh environments. An optical fiber tip LSPR refractive index sensor of 196 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) sensitivity has been demonstrated. The affinity sensing property of the fiber tip sensor was demonstrated using biotin/streptavidin as the receptor/analyte. The detection limit for streptavidin was determined to be 6 pM.

Dynamics of picosecond laser‐induced density, temperature, and flow‐reorientation effects in the mesophases of liquid crystals

A detailed theoretical and experimental study of laser‐induced density and temperature changes, and flow‐reorientation effects in the nematic and smectic phases of liquid crystals is presented. Using picosecond lasers, the initial nanosecond dynamics of the photoinduced density waves, temperature buildup, and relaxations are temporally resolved. The experimentally observed relaxation phenomena and time scales are in good agreement with the theoretical expressions obtained by analytical solutions of the coupled hydrodynamical equations describing these fundamental mechanisms. Our new measurement and theory provide a quantitative account of the relative contribution from the electrostrictive and thermoelastic contributions that had not been presented in previous studies. Our study of the smectic phase has conclusively established the mechanism for the formation of erasable and permanent grating effects under short‐laser‐pulse excitation as laser‐induced electrostrictive and thermoelastic effects.

An enhanced LSPR fiber-optic nanoprobe for ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers.

A miniaturized, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-coupled fiber-optic (FO) nanoprobe is reported as a biosensor that is capable of label-free, sensitive detection of a cancer protein biomarker, free prostate specific antigen (f-PSA). The biosensor is based on the LSPR at the reusable dielectric-metallic hybrid interface with a robust, gold nano-disk array at the fiber end facet that is directly fabricated using EBL and metal lift-off process. The f-PSA has been detected with a mouse anti-human PSA monoclonal antibody (mAb) as a specific receptor linked with a self-assembled monolayer at the LSPR-FO facet surfaces. Experimental investigation and data analysis found near field refractive index (RI) sensitivity at ~226 nm/RIU with current LSPR-FO nanoprobe, and demonstrated the lowest limit of detection (LOD) at 100 fg/mL (~3 fM) of f-PSA in PBS solutions. The control experimentation using 5mg/mL bovine serum albumin in PBS and nonspecific surface test shows the excellent specificity and selectivity in the detection of f-PSA in PBS. These results present important progress towards a miniaturized, multifunctional fiber-optic technology that integrates informational communication and sensing function for developing a high performance, label-free, point-of-care (POC) device.

High-resolution liquid-crystal phase grating formed by fringing fields from interdigitated electrodes.

We report the formation of thin anisotropic phase gratings in a nematic liquid-crystalline film by use of lateral (fringing) electric fields induced by transparent interdigitated electrodes. These gratings yield high diffraction efficiency (>30%) with a strong dependence on the readout beam incidence angle. In addition, the formation of a defect wall is observed that has a significant effect on the diffraction properties of the phase grating.

Partial pixels: a three-dimensional diffractive display architecture

We describe in detail the partial pixel architecture that permits the realization of three-dimensional (3-D) displays that are functionally equivalent to a real-time holographic stereogram. This architecture permits the simultaneous presentation of multiple stereoscopic images so that motion parallax is discernible in the resultant 3-D scene. The key innovation of the architecture is that each pixel is subdivided into partial pixels, which in turn can be implemented as individual diffraction gratings. We describe a static display that exhibits a 3-D image with one-dimensional motion parallax, thereby demonstrating key features of the architecture. A variety of partial pixel implementations are discussed that can operate at video frame rates. These include voltage-controlled liquid crystal gratings and binary optic gratings integrated with conventional liquid crystal amplitude modulators. In addition, we describe how the partial pixel architecture can be generalized for the implementation of full-color displays and displays having two-dimensional motion parallax.

CAPACITIVE INTERDIGITAL SENSOR WITH INHOMOGENEOUS NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL FILM

The performance of capacitive interdigital sensors involved with anisotropic and inhomogeneous nematic liquid crystal (LC) film is investigated. These sensors have potential applications in chemical and biological systems. The theory for modeling the permittivity tensor of the LC film as a function of the molecular orientation is presented. The LC film is handled as inhomogeneous material where molecules are assumed to have different orientations with respect to the frame axes. Under these conditions, fringing field capacitances as functions of the molecular deformations are calculated. Examples of modeled capacitive interdigital sensors in the present of different inhomogeneous distributions of LC films will be studied and discussed.

Surface plasmon resonance in nanostructured metal films under the Kretschmann configuration

We systematically investigated the surface plasmon resonance in one-dimensional (1D) subwavelength nanostructured metal films under the Kretschmann configuration. We calculated the reflectance, transmittance, and absorption for varying the dielectric fill factor, the period of the 1D nanostructure, and the metal film thickness. We have found that the small dielectric slits in the metal films reduce the surface plasmon resonance angle and move it toward the critical angle for total internal reflection. The reduction in surface plasmon resonance angle in nanostructured metal films is due to the increased intrinsic free electron oscillation frequency in metal nanostructures. Also we have found that the increasing the spatial frequency of the 1D nanograting reduces the surface plasmon resonance angle, which indicates that less momentum is needed to match the momentum of the surface plasmon-polariton. The variation in the nanostructured metal film thickness changes the resonance angle slightly, but mainly remains as a mean to adjust the coupling between the incident optical wave and the surface plasmon-polariton wave.We systematically investigated the surface plasmon resonance in one-dimensional (1D) subwavelength nanostructured metal films under the Kretschmann configuration. We calculated the reflectance, transmittance, and absorption for varying the dielectric fill factor, the period of the 1D nanostructure, and the metal film thickness. We have found that the small dielectric slits in the metal films reduce the surface plasmon resonance angle and move it toward the critical angle for total internal reflection. The reduction in surface plasmon resonance angle in nanostructured metal films is due to the increased intrinsic free electron oscillation frequency in metal nanostructures. Also we have found that the increasing the spatial frequency of the 1D nanograting reduces the surface plasmon resonance angle, which indicates that less momentum is needed to match the momentum of the surface plasmon-polariton. The variation in the nanostructured metal film thickness changes the resonance angle slightly, but mainly rema...

Liquid crystals in bulk optics-based DWDM optical switches and spectral equalizers

The demonstration of a liquid crystal-based wavelength selective switch (WSS) is discussed. The use of polarization diversity in our optical architecture for insertion loss and polarization-dependent loss reduction is examined. The advantages and difficulties of polarization diversity and using LCs as switching elements in a WSS are summarized.

Flat top liquid crystal tunable filter using coupled Fabry-Perot cavities

In this paper, a coupled Fabry-Perot cavities filter, using the liquid crystal as the tunable medium, is investigate to achieve tunable flat top filtering performance across the C and L bands. A tandem coupled Fabry-Perot is presented for a tunable passband filter with flat top and minimum ripple in the passband. The overall tuning range of the filter is 172 nm. Several designs are shown with comparable performance to the commercial available 100 GHz fixed single channel filters.