Fast spectral surface plasmon resonance imaging sensor for real-time high-throughput detection of biomolecular interactions.

A fast surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging biosensor system based on wavelength interrogation using a liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) is presented. The system combines the merits of wide-dynamic detection range offered by the spectral approach and multiplexed high-throughput data collection with a two-dimensional (2-D) biosensor array. The key feature of the reported scheme is a feedback loop that drives the LCTF to achieve fast tracking of the SPR dip movement caused by the binding of target molecules to the sensor surface. Experimental results show that the system is capable of completing an SPR dip measurement within 4 s. Based on using a spectral window of about 100 nm, the experimental dynamic detection range and refractive index resolution are 4.63×10?2??RIU and 5.87×10?6??RIU, respectively. As also demonstrated herein using 2-D microsensor arrays, among the spectral SPR sensors, the reported system is most suitable for multiplexed label-free biosensing applications.