Infrared absorbance-modulated evanescent scattering microscopy

Abstract

Infrared absorbance-modulated evanescent scattering systems and methods are disclosed along with uses for such in label-free chemical fingerprinting of bio-nanoparticles. Systems and methods can include directing a mid-infrared (IR) beam at an oblique angle onto a portion of a sample located on a gold-coated substrate to induce a temperature change in the portion by absorption of the mid-IR beam while simultaneously directing a probe beam onto the gold-coated substrate to generate a laterally-propagating evanescent field while detecting orthogonally scattered probe light from the sample using a detector. Applications can include distinguishing empty from cargo-loaded lipid nanoparticles and analyzing adeno-associated virus particles providing advancements in gene therapy, vaccine development, and biological research.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.