Browsing by Author "Semenyshyn, Rostyslav"

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Open Access
Mid-infrared resonant nanostructures for in-vitro monitoring of polypeptides
(2019) Semenyshyn, Rostyslav; Giessen, Harald (Prof. Dr.)
Infrared vibrational spectroscopy is a technique based on the molecular vibrations, that is, the oscillation of individual atoms with respect to each other. Each of these vibrations has a characteristic resonance frequency which leads to the distinct vibrational fingerprint of a molecule and thus enables a label-free, non-destructive, and chemically specific detection of molecular species. The infrared absorption cross-sections, which characterize the optical interaction strength, are relatively small. This is of minor importance for conventional spectroscopy, where large ensembles of molecules can be measured and thus contribute to the overall signal. However, the small infrared absorption hampers detection of molecules at low concentrations, which is of large importance for medical diagnostics, for instance, where the determination of the secondary structures of proteins is crucial due to their role in many incurable diseases. A key to overcome this limitation is to utilize plasmonic nanostructures, which confine the electromagnetic radiation on the nanometer scale and allow higher overall absorption. In this dissertation, it is demonstrated that even a monolayer of proteins can be detected using mid-infrared resonant gold nanostructures. We use polypeptides as a model system and were able to investigate the secondary structure of molecular monolayers in-vitro. Applying different external stimuli, we are able to induce structural changes of polypeptides in aqueous environments. In addition to a mid-infrared resonant nanoantenna, nanoslits (or inverse antennas) can also enhance the optical response of polypeptides, which allowed us to detect the secondary structure of minicollagen monolayers. Both nanostructure designs provided the possibility even to monitor reversible conformational transitions of molecular monolayers. Scaling this approach down to a single nanostructure allows to detect only a few thousands of polypeptides in liquid environments. The demonstrated concept could lead to integrated chip-level technology for biological and even medical applications, where biosamples with minute concentrations are investigated. With further advances, it could be possible to scale the process to a few or single proteins and observe the structural changes of individual entities.
Open Access
Nearly diffraction limited FTIR mapping using an ultrastable broadband femtosecond laser tunable from 1.33 to 8 µm
(2017) Mörz, Florian; Semenyshyn, Rostyslav; Steinle, Tobias; Neubrech, Frank; Zschieschang, Ute; Klauk, Hagen; Steinmann, Andy; Giessen, Harald
Micro-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a widespread technique that enables broadband measurements of infrared active molecular vibrations at high sensitivity. SiC globars are often applied as light sources in tabletop systems, typically covering a spectral range from about 1 to 20 µm (10 000 - 500 cm−1) in FTIR spectrometers. However, measuring sample areas below 40x40 µm2 requires very long integration times due to their inherently low brilliance. This hampers the detection of ultrasmall samples, such as minute amounts of molecules or single nanoparticles. In this publication we extend the current limits of FTIR spectroscopy in terms of measurable sample areas, detection limit and speed by utilizing a broadband, tabletop laser system with MHz repetition rate and femtosecond pulse duration that covers the spectral region between 1250 - 7520 cm−1 (1.33 - 8 µm). We demonstrate mapping of a 150x150 µm2 sample of 100 nm thick molecule layers at 1430 cm−1 (7 µm) with 10x10 µm2 spatial resolution and a scan speed of 3.5 µm/sec. Compared to a similar globar measurement an order of magnitude lower noise is achieved, due to an excellent long-term wavelength and power stability, as well as an orders of magnitude higher brilliance.