Led driven plasmonic heating apparatus for nucleic acids amplification

Abstract

Systems and methods for plasmonic heating by combined use of thin plasmonic film-based 2D and 3D structures and a light-emitting diode (LED) for nucleic acids amplification through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for nucleic acids amplification, comprising:
 disposing a sample within one or more wells comprising a thin film;   directing a light source at the thin film to generate light-to-heat conversion within the thin film; and   heating the sample as a result of light-to-heat conversion within the thin film.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: focusing light from the light source at the one or more wells. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: monitoring a temperature of the sample. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: controlling one or more of data acquisition from a temperature sensor and actuation of the light source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling actuation of the light source comprises controlling one or more of exposure duration and injection current at the thin film. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thin film comprises an Au film with a nanometer sized grain to enhance light absorption through surface plasmon resonance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wells are formed in a translucent or transparent platform; and wherein the light from the light source is directed through at least a portion of the platform to the thin film. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: diffusing focused light to evenly distribute the light to the thin film. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is emitted at a wavelength selected for maximum light absorption within the thin film. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: detecting a fluorescence signal within the sample.