The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 29, 1991
Filed:
Nov. 09, 1990
Richard B Thompson, Baltimore, MD (US);
Carl A Villarruel, Burke, VA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
An optical waveguide-binding sensor which increases sensor sensitivity to fluorescence detection during assays of liquids based on adjustments in the V number along the optical waveguide. The sensing waveguide includes a mode converting section where the V number of the wavguide gradually increases from the distal sensing end of the mode converting section to the proximal end of the mode converting section. The gradually change in V number can be accomplished by either gradually inwardly tapering waveguide along the sensor portion from the proximal end, or by gradually varying the dopant concentration along the sensing portion. The sensor tapers in diameter to change the V number along the distal end of the optical waveguide. The present invention increases the efficiency of fluorescence detection by converting weakly-guided high-order modes of fluorescence radiation at the distal end into lower-order modes at the proximal and increases the efficiency of fluorescent excitation by converting low order mode entering the proximal end into weakly-guided high order modes at the sensing end. At the sensing end, these weakly guided modes cn strengthen the evanescent excitation wave.