Systems, devices, and methods for improved optical waveguide transmission and alignment

A system for optical analysis, the system comprising:

• an optical source, the optical source configured to emit a broadband, multi-longitudinal optical excitation beam into free space, wherein the excitation beam comprises at least two longitudinal modes separated by 10 pm or more, and wherein the at least two longitudinal modes display a central wavelength of from about 500 nm to about 650 nm and a spectral bandwidth of less than about 20 nm;
• and
• a removable target waveguide device, comprising:
• at least one optical coupler, the at least one optical coupler configured to receive the optical excitation beam through free space from the optical source;
• at least one optical waveguide, the at least one optical waveguide comprising a first end;
• wherein the first end of the optical waveguide is configured to receive an optical excitation signal from the at least one optical coupler;
• at least one reaction region, the at least one reaction region optically coupled to the at least one waveguide;
• and
• at least one detector region, the at least one detector region configured to detect an optical emission signal from the at least one reaction region.