Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique

Université Du Maine

Refahi Abou Khachfe

Dominique Ausserre

Myriam Zerrad

Claude Amra

Guillaume Brotons

A contrast-amplifying support for the observation of a sample, comprises a transparent substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer whose complex refractive index N=n&#x2212;jkand thickness are chosen in such a way that the layer behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when it is illuminated under normal incidence at an illumination wavelength &#x3bb; through the substrate, the face of the layer opposite to the d substrate being in contact with a transparent so-called ambient medium whose refractive index nis less than that of the refractive index nof the substrate. Methods for producing a contrast-amplifying support and for observing a sample, or for detecting or assaying at least one chemical or biological species, using such a contrast-amplifying support are provided.

Contrast amplifying support for the observation of a sample, production methods thereof and uses thereof

A method for producing a contrast-amplifying support comprising an absorbing substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer comprises a design step for the support and the following steps: i) choosing an illumination wavelength &#x3bb;; ii) choosing a material constituting the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength &#x3bb;, a complex refractive index N0=n0&#x2212;jk0 with k0&#x2265;0.01; iii) choosing an ambient medium in contact with the layer on the side opposite to the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength &#x3bb;, a complex refractive index N3=n3&#x2212;jk3 with k3&#x2265;0; iv) determining a nominal complex refractive index N1=n1&#x2212;jk1 and a nominal thickness e1 of the layer wherein it behaves in the guize of antireflection layer when illuminated under normal incidence at illumination wavelength &#x3bb;; and v) choosing a material constituting the layer and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength &#x3bb;, a complex refractive index whose real and imaginary parts coincide with the nominal complex refractive index.

Method for manufacturing contrast amplifying substrates

An electrochemical device comprises a fluidic cell having an internal volume able to be filled with a fluid and at least one first and one second electrode making contact with the internal volume, wherein at least the first electrode comprises a thin layer made of a conductive material that is optically absorbent at at least one wavelength &#x3bb; in the visible, near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, the thin layer being arranged on or in an internal surface of a wall of the fluidic cell which is at least partially transparent to said wavelength &#x3bb;. An electrochemical apparatus comprises such an electrochemical device and an optical microscope arranged to illuminate the first electrode through the wall at at least said wavelength &#x3bb; and also to observe it through the wall.

Growing community of inventors

Barja el Chouf, Lebanon

Refahi Abou Khachfe