Optical Chemical Detector and Method

A sensor comprising:

• a substrate comprising a flow channel for conveying a fluid, wherein the flow channel comprises a first region;
• a laser for providing light having a spectral bandwidth that includes a first wavelength;
• and
• a waveguide resonator mirror, wherein the waveguide resonator mirror comprises a first optically resonant element, and wherein the first optically resonant element is located within the first region, and wherein the first optically resonant element is optically resonant for the first wavelength when the fluid in the first region has a first refractive index, and further wherein the first optically resonant element is optically resonant for a second wavelength when the fluid in the first region has a second refractive index;
• wherein the laser provides the light to the waveguide resonator mirror, and wherein the laser receives the first wavelength from the waveguide resonator mirror when the fluid in the first region has the first refractive index.

A method for detecting an analyte, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a fluid in a flow channel having a first region;
• providing a first light signal from a laser, wherein the first light signal is characterized by a first spectral bandwidth;
• receiving the first light signal at a first waveguide resonator mirror comprising a first optically resonant element, wherein the first optically resonant element is located within the first region, and wherein the first optically resonant element is optically coupled with the fluid in the first region;
• reflecting a second light signal from the first waveguide resonator mirror to the first laser, wherein the second light signal selectively includes light having a first wavelength when the fluid in the first region has a first refractive index, and wherein the second light signal selectively includes light having a second wavelength when the fluid in the first region has a second refractive index;
• and
• providing a third light signal from the first waveguide resonator mirror, wherein the third light signal is based on the first light signal and the second light signal.

A method for detecting a first analyte, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a fluid in a flow channel having a first region;
• providing a first light signal from a first laser, wherein the first light signal is characterized by a first spectral bandwidth;
• receiving the first light signal at a first waveguide resonator mirror comprising a first optically resonant element, wherein the first optically resonant element is located within the first region, and wherein the first optically resonant element is optically coupled with the fluid in the first region;
• reflecting a second light signal from the first waveguide resonator mirror to the first laser, wherein the second light signal selectively includes light having a first wavelength when the fluid in the first region comprises the first analyte, and wherein the second light signal selectively includes light having a second wavelength when the fluid in the first region is first analyte-free;
• and
• providing a third light signal from the first waveguide resonator mirror, wherein the third light signal is based on the first light signal and the second light signal.