What techniques are used to make surface plasmon resonance chips?

[gkiverm]

The chips used for surface plasmon resonance are fairly expensive. Does anyone know what nanofabrication techniques are used to make the chips? I've been told they are relatively easy to make if one has access to a nanoscale facility.

 

[Alkim]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a phenomenon that occurs on any metal surface. You need no chips to observe it. It looks like you are talking about some particular application of SPR, but you should be more specific.

 

[gkiverm]

I'm planning to measure the rate constant of a specific reaction. I don't completely understand surface plasmon resonance, but don't you need to coat a chip with some gold or silver in order to proceed?

 

[Alkim]

In your case, you deal with a chemical detector based on the sensitivity of the SPR band position to the chemical environment of the metal. Gold and silver are indeed used most often due to their small losses and high chemical stability. You can make metal nanoparticles by very simple techniques but I ignore how the chips for your particular application are made. Just a guess: metal ion implantation in a glass surface? There are also purely chemical routes.

 

[alphy]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) chips are typically made using a combination of nanofabrication techniques. These techniques involve manipulating materials at a nanoscale level, typically using specialized equipment and facilities.

One common method is electron beam lithography, which involves using a focused beam of electrons to create patterns on a surface. This technique allows for precise control over the shape and size of the patterns, which is crucial for creating the sensitive sensing areas on SPR chips.

Another technique used is physical vapor deposition, where a thin film of metal is deposited onto a substrate using a high-energy source such as an electron beam or laser. This allows for the creation of a thin layer of metal, typically gold or silver, which is necessary for the plasmon resonance effect to occur.

Other techniques that may be used include nanoimprint lithography, where a template is used to imprint patterns onto a surface, and focused ion beam milling, which uses a beam of ions to etch patterns onto a surface. These techniques, along with others, are used in combination to create the complex structures and precise dimensions required for SPR chips.

While it is possible to make SPR chips using these techniques in a nanoscale facility, it is important to note that the process is still quite complex and requires specialized equipment and expertise. This is why the chips can be expensive and are typically produced by specialized companies.