Estimation of sensitivity for refractive index and immunoreaction in a surface plasmon resonance sensor probe

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor probe was proposed, and its sensit ivities were examined. The sensitivity for a refractive index was experimen tally decided using an SPR sensor probe. The obtained sensitivity of 4.0 x 10(3) nm per refractive index was approximately the same as that obtained b y theoretical calculation. The sensitivity for immunoreaction was experimen tally estimated using an anti-bovine serum albumin antibody as a model anal yte. The sensitivity defined in the antibody concentration's region of 6-60 mu g ml(-1) was 0.13 nm ml mu g(-1). The sensitivity for the antibody conc entration was found to be reasonable compared to that obtained by a planar SPR instrument. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.