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Filter-free integrated sensor array based on luminescence and absorbance measurements using ring-shaped organic photodiodes

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Abstract

An optical waveguiding sensor array featuring monolithically integrated organic photodiodes as integrated photo-detector, which simplifies the readout system by minimizing the required parts, is presented. The necessity of any optical filters becomes redundant due to the proposed platform geometry, which discriminates between excitation light and sensing signal. The sensor array is capable of measuring luminescence or absorption, and both sensing geometries are based on the identical substrate. It is demonstrated that background light is virtually non-existent. All sensing and waveguide layers, as well as in- and out-coupling elements are assembled by conventional screen-printing techniques. Organic photodiodes are integrated by layer-by-layer vacuum deposition onto glass or common polymer foils. The universal and simple applicability of this sensor chip is demonstrated by sensing schemes for four different analytes. Relative humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are measured in gas phase using luminescence-based sensor schemes; the latter two analytes are also measured by absorbance-based sensor schemes. Furthermore, oxygen and pH in aqueous media were enabled. The consistency of calibration characteristics extending over different sensor chips is verified.

Integrated fluorescence (left) and absorbance (right) based sensor waveguide

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Tobias Abel, Birgit Ungerböck & Torsten Mayr

  2. JOANNEUM Research-Institute for Surface Technologies and Photonics, Franz-Pichler Straße 30, 8160, Weiz, Austria

    Martin Sagmeister, Bernhard Lamprecht, Elke Kraker & Stefan Köstler

Authors
  1. Tobias Abel
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  2. Martin Sagmeister
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  3. Bernhard Lamprecht
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  4. Elke Kraker
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  5. Stefan Köstler
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  6. Birgit Ungerböck
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  7. Torsten Mayr
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Correspondence to Torsten Mayr.

Additional information

Published in the special paper collection Optical Biochemical and Chemical Sensors with guest editor Laura M. Lechuga.

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Abel, T., Sagmeister, M., Lamprecht, B. et al. Filter-free integrated sensor array based on luminescence and absorbance measurements using ring-shaped organic photodiodes. Anal Bioanal Chem 404, 2841–2849 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6175-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6175-4

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