Ultra-sensitive temperature sensing and calorimetry

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for ultra-sensitive temperature sensing and calorimetry. Radiation is directed at a thin electrically conductive film having one or more small apertures. The incident radiation excites surface plasmons on a first surface of the electrically conductive film, and energy associated with the surface plasmons couples to an opposite surface of the electrically conductive film, where surface plasmon-enhanced radiation (SPER) is emitted from the aperture(s). A temperature-sensitive fluid or solid dielectric material is disposed contiguous with at least a portion of the electrically conductive film, such that a temperature change in the dielectric material alters a resonance condition for the SPER. Measurable changes in the SPER due to altered resonance conditions provide for an ultrasensitive temperature sensor that can detect small temperature changes in the dielectric material. The disclosed methods and apparatus may be used for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, nanoscale to microscale calorimetry for pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, combustion sensing, explosive detection, and biotoxin monitoring.