| AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Applied Surface Science | Monday Sessions |
| Session AS+EM+MS+TF-MoA |
| Session: | Spectroscopic Ellipsometry II |
| Presenter: | H. Arwin, Linköping University, Sweden |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Ellipsometry is very attractive for studies of biolayers including protein layers. First, its thickness resolution is well below 1 nm which is perfect for protein layers as they typically are composed of nm-sized molecules. Second, ellipsometry can be used in any transparent medium, so it can be applied to solid-liquid interfaces where many bioreactions take place. Third, molecules do not have to be labeled, as required for techniques based on fluorescence or radioactivity. One drawback is that it is not analytic if operated in the visible spectral range and in simple applications one primarily measures the optical mass on a surface. However, with high precision spectroscopic ellipsometry, structural information in protein monolayers can be obtained in some cases and chemical analysis can be performed with infrared ellipsometry.
In this report, the use of various types of ellipsometry for studies of protein layers at air/solid and liquid /solid interfaces are reviewed. Among the methods included are spectroscopic, dynamic, internal reflection and imaging ellipsometry. Two examples of methodology for analysis are discussed in some detail. First we observe that in situ studies allow monitoring of the dynamics of protein layer growth. Modeling of layer structure by separation of refractive index and thickness from such in situ data recorded during adsorption of fibrinogen layers is presented as well as strategies for evaluation of surface mass density.
In a second example, a model dielectric function (MDF) concept for protein layers in the UV-VIS-IR spectral range is presented. The MDF contains model parameters like resonance energies and broadenings of vibrational structures, e.g. in the amide bands. Changes in these parameters can be monitored and used to assess the conformational state in the protein layer. As an example, studies of thermally induced degradation of fibrinogen layers are presented.
Finally potential sensor applications based on imaging and dynamic ellipsometry utilizing sub-nm thickness resolution are reviewed. The use of surface-plasmon resonance enhancement to increase resolution of internal reflection ellipsometry to pm in thickness will be discussed.