Sensor, multichannel sensor, sensing apparatus, and sensing method

Abstract

A new and novel sensor having a simple structure with high detection sensitivity. The sensor (S 1 ) includes the following from measuring light (L 1 ) input side in the order listed below: a first reflector ( 10 ) having semi-transmissive and semi-reflective properties; a translucent body ( 20 ); and a second reflector ( 30 ) having perfect reflection properties, or semi-transmissive and semi-reflective properties. The first reflector ( 10 ) and/or second reflector is brought into contact with a specimen, and the average complex refractive index varies with the specimen. Absorption properties for absorbing light having a particular wavelength are produced by these components, the properties of the measuring light (L 1 ) are changed by the optical properties including the absorption properties, the output light (L 2 ) is outputted from the first reflector ( 10 ) and/or second reflector ( 30 ), and the physical properties of the output light (L 2 ) that vary according to the optical properties are detected.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A sensor in which measuring light is inputted and outputted therefrom as output light after the physical properties thereof are changed by a specimen, and detected,
 wherein the properties of the measuring light are changed by optical interference effects and a local plasmon resonance.   
     
     
         23 . A multichannel sensor in which measuring light is inputted and outputted therefrom as output light after the physical properties thereof are changed by a plurality of specimens, and detected to allow simultaneous analysis of the plurality of specimens,
 wherein:   the multichannel sensor includes one or more sensors of  claim 22  which are divided into a plurality of sensor regions, each being brought into contact with each of the plurality of specimens; and   the physical properties that vary according to the optical properties are detected with respect to each sensor region.   
     
     
         24 . A multichannel sensor in which measuring light is inputted and outputted therefrom as output light after the physical properties thereof are changed by a plurality of specimens, and detected to allow simultaneous analysis of the plurality of specimens,
 wherein:   the multichannel sensor includes a plurality of the sensors of  claim 22 , and   the physical properties that vary according to the optical properties are detected with respect to each sensor.   
     
     
         25 . A sensor with specimen cell, comprising the sensor of  claim 22  which is attached to a specimen cell fillable with the specimen,
 wherein the sensor is fixed to the specimen cell such that the first reflector and/or second reflector of the sensor is brought into contact with the specimen in the specimen cell.   
     
     
         26 . A sensing apparatus comprising:
 the sensor of  claim 22 ;   a measuring light irradiation means for irradiating the measuring light on the sensor; and   a detection means for detecting the physical properties of the output light.   
     
     
         27 . A sensing apparatus comprising:
 the multichannel sensor of  claim 23 ;   a measuring light irradiation means for irradiating the measuring light on the multichannel sensor; and   a detection means for detecting the physical properties of the output light.   
     
     
         28 . A sensing apparatus comprising:
 the multichannel sensor of  claim 24 ;   a measuring light irradiation means for irradiating the measuring light on the multichannel sensor; and   a detection means for detecting the physical properties of the output light.   
     
     
         29 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the detection means detects at least one of the following: the light intensity of the output light, variation thereof, absorption peak wavelength of light absorbed by the sensor, and the amount of shift thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the detection means detects at least one of the following: the light intensity of the output light, variation thereof, absorption peak wavelength of light absorbed by the sensor, and the amount of shift thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 26 ,
 wherein:   the sensor outputs the output light at least from the first reflector; and   the detection means receives only non-mirror reflection component of the output light and detects the physical properties.   
     
     
         32 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the measuring light irradiation means is placed at a position so that the measuring light is irradiated on the sensor at an angle other than the normal with respect to the light input face of the sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus analyzes the refractive index and/or density of the specimen. 
     
     
         34 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus identifies the specimen by analyzing the refractive index thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A sensing method using the sensor of  claim 22 , the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing a binding substance that specifically combines with a particular substance on the side of the sensor to be brought into contact with the specimen before bringing the specimen into contact therewith;   irradiating the measuring light on the sensor; and   detecting the physical properties of the output light to analyze the presence of the particular substance and/or amount thereof in the specimen.   
     
     
         36 . A sensing method using the multichannel sensor of  claim 23 , the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing a binding substance that specifically combines with a particular substance on the side of the multichannel sensor to be brought into contact with the specimen before bringing the specimen into contact therewith;   irradiating the measuring light on the multichannel sensor; and   detecting the physical properties of the output light to analyze the presence of the particular substance and/or amount thereof in the specimen.   
     
     
         37 . A sensing method using the multichannel sensor of  claim 24 , the method comprising the steps of:
 fixing a binding substance that specifically combines with a particular substance on the side of the multichannel sensor to be brought into contact with the specimen before bringing the specimen into contact therewith;   irradiating the measuring light on the multichannel sensor; and   detecting the physical properties of the output light to analyze the presence of the particular substance and/or amount thereof in the specimen.