Enhanced vibrational spectroscopy, intracellular refractive indexing for label-free biosensing and bioimaging by multiband plasmonic-antenna array.
In this study, we report a multiband plasmonic-antenna array that bridges optical biosensing and intracellular bioimaging without requiring a labeling process or coupler. First, a compact plasmonic-antenna array is designed exhibiting a bandwidth of several octaves for use in both multi-band plasmonic resonance-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy and refractive index probing. Second, a single-element plasmonic antenna can be used as a multifunctional sensing pixel that enables mapping the distribution of targets in thin films and biological specimens by enhancing the signals of vibrational signatures and sensing the refractive index contrast. Finally, using the fabricated plasmonic-antenna array yielded reliable intracellular observation was demonstrated from the vibrational signatures and intracellular refractive index contrast requiring neither labeling nor a coupler. These unique features enable the plasmonic-antenna array to function in a label-free manner, facilitating bio-sensing and imaging development.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC.
Cheng-Kuang
CK
Chen
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC.
Ming-Hsuan
MH
Chang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC.
Hsieh-Ting
HT
Wu
National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan, ROC.
Yao-Chang
YC
Lee
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC; Center of Nanotechnology, Material Science and Microsysytem National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: tjyen@mx.nthu.edu.tw.
Ta-Jen
TJ
Yen
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002942:Circular Dichroism / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018511:Systems Integration; D014732:Vibration
Label-free imaging; Multiband plasmonic resonances; Plasmonic antenna; Refractive index sensing; Vibrational spectroscopy