US 7,462,496 B2
Plasmon-enhanced marking of fragile materials and other applications thereof
Henryk Malak, Ellicott City, Md. (US)
Assigned to American Environmental System, Inc., Ellicott City, Md. (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/65,612.
Application 11/065612 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/930608, filed on Sep. 01, 2004.
Application 10/930608 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/916560, filed on Aug. 12, 2004.
Application 10/916560 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/689965, filed on Oct. 22, 2003, abandoned.
Application 10/689965 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/656629, filed on Sep. 08, 2003, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/589883, filed on Jul. 22, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0142605 A1, Jun. 30, 2005
Int. Cl. G01N 33/551 (2006.01); G01N 33/553 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 436—524  [435/6; 436/518; 436/525; 436/172; 436/805] 13 Claims
 
1. A method for surface plasmon resonance enhanced marking of a medium selected from the group consisting of a solid-state material, a human body, an animal body, or plant comprising the steps of:
providing a composition capable of marking the medium when the composition is irradiated by radiation from a plasmon source, the composition comprising a nanoparticle and a marking substance, wherein the marking substance is attached to the nanoparticle;
embedding the composition into the medium; and
irradiating the embedded composition by the plasmon source.