Integrated optical compensating refractometer apparatus

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• means for directing light to an input portion of optical sensing means having
• means for transmitting the light to replaceable optical means, the replaceable optical means responsive to index of refraction in a predetermined sensing region thereof that is exposed to the fluid,
• means for transmitting a first predetermined portion of the light via a compensating path that includes the predetermined sensing region to first detecting means,
• means for transmitting a second predetermined portion of the light via a sensing path that includes the predetermined sensing region to second detecting means, and
• means for receiving an output from each detecting means and providing a signal responsive to the ration of the outputs, wherein the replaceable optical means comprises ridge waveguide means having first and second serpentine paths that form the compensating and the sensing paths respectively, wherein the first path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for compensating for nonspecific effects of the fluid, and wherein the second path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for measuring properties thereof.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• means for directing light to an input portion of optical sensing means having
• means for transmitting the light to replaceable optical means, the replaceable optical means responsive to index of refraction in a predetermined sensing region thereof that is exposed to the fluid,
• means for transmitting a first predetermined portion of the light via a compensating path that includes the predetermined sensing region to first detecting means,
• means for transmitting a second predetermined portion of the light via a sensing path that includes the predetermined sensing region to second detecting means, and
• means for receiving an output from each detecting means and providing a signal responsive to the ration of the outputs, wherein the replaceable optical means comprises U-bend waveguide means having first and second paths that form the compensating and the sensing paths respectively, wherein the first path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for compensating for nonspecific effects of the fluid, and wherein the second path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for measuring properties thereof.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• means for directing light to an input portion of optical sensing means having
• means for transmitting the light to replaceable optical means, the replaceable optical means responsive to index of refraction in a predetermined sensing region thereof that is exposed to the fluid,
• means for transmitting a first predetermined portion of the light via a compensating path that includes the predetermined sensing region to first detecting means,
• means for transmitting a second predetermined portion of the light via a sensing path that includes the predetermined sensing region to second detecting means, and
• means for receiving an output from each detecting means and providing a signal responsive to the ratio of the outputs;
• wherein the replaceable optical means comprises S-bend waveguide means having first and second paths that form the compensating and the sensing paths respectively, wherein the first path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for compensating for nonspecific effects of the fluid, and wherein the second path comprises a superstrate that can react with the fluid for measuring properties thereof.

Apparatus useful in immunoassay of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a first optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• a second optical waveguide with an end for receiving or exiting light,
• the first and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L, so that light in the first waveguide evanescently couples into the second waveguide or vice versa, and
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the first optical waveguide except for the interaction length L, and covering the second waveguide except for the interaction length L;
• wherein the interactive length L of the first waveguide is covered by a second superstrate that can react with the fluid, and the interactive length L of the second waveguide is covered by a third superstrate that can react with the fluid.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a first optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• a second optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the first and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L, so that light in the first waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a channel between the waveguides in an interaction length L, wherein the coupling between the waveguides is enhanced,
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the first and second optical waveguide except for the channel in interaction length L.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a first optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• a second optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the first and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L1, so that light in the first waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a third optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the third and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L2, so that light in the third waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a first channel between the first and second waveguides in an interaction length L1, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced, and
• a second channel between the third and second waveguides in an interaction length L2, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced, and
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the first, second, and third optical waveguides except for first and second channels in interaction lengths L1 and L2.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a first optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• a second optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the first and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L1, so that light in the first waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a third optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the third and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L2, so that light in the third waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a first channel between the first and second waveguides in an interaction length L1, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced,
• a second channel between the third and second waveguides in an interaction length L2, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced, and
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the first, second, and third optical waveguides except for the first and third waveguide portions within the interaction lengths L1 and L2.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a first optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• a second optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light.
• the first and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L1, so that light in the first waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a third optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the third and second optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L2, so that light in the third waveguide couples into the second waveguide or vice versa,
• a first channel between the first and second waveguides in an interaction length L1, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced,
• a second channel between the third and second waveguides in an interaction length L2, wherein the coupling between the waveguides above the substrate is enhanced, and
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the first, second, and third optical waveguides except for the first and third waveguide portions, and the first and second channels within the interaction length L1 and L2.

Apparatus useful in determining the properties of a fluid, comprising:

• a substrate with an optical directional coupler integrated therein having,
• a Y-split coupler having a first optical waveguide with an end for receiving light and second and third optical waveguides with ends for exiting light,
• a fourth optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the second and fourth optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L1, so that light in the second waveguide couples into the fourth waveguide or vice versa,
• a fifth optical waveguide with a first end for receiving or exiting light and a second end for receiving or exiting light,
• the third and fifth optical waveguides having portions which are positioned close together over an interaction length L2, so that light in the fifth waveguide couples into the third waveguide or vice versa,
• a first channel between the second and fourth waveguides in the interaction length L1,
• a second channel between the third and fifth waveguides in the interaction length L2, and
• a first superstrate of known and constant index of refraction covering the second, third, fourth and fifth optical waveguides except for the first channel and second channel within the interaction lengths L1 and L2.