Multiple optical channels for chemical analysis
AssigneeCornell Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorHarold G. Craighead
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for optical analysis of a sample material includes a channel block incorporating microfabricated channels and an integral gel material. Illuminating optics direct light to the sample material and light reflected from, refracted by and/or emitted by the sample is collected by collection optics for detection. The gel material is formed within the channels and includes multiple closely spaced pillars to form a porous separator for sample material to be analyzed.
Claims43
A microoptical system comprising:
- a plurality of closely-spaced, elongated, generally parallel, coplanar micron-scale sample channels;
- an artificial gel material comprising a multiplicity of pillar structures having diameters of about 20 nm in each said channel;
- an illumination source providing illuminating light;
- illumination optics directing illuminating light from said source to said sample channels to produce corresponding sample output beams;
- a detector array;
- and
- collection optics directing said output beams to corresponding detector elements of said detector array.
A microoptical system comprising:
- a plurality of closely-spaced, elongated, generally parallel, coplanar micron-scale sample channels formed in a substrate, each said channel having a floor and spaced, vertical walls;
- a multiplicity of closely-spaced, vertical pillars on said floor of at least one channel, said pillars each having a cross-sectional dimension of about 20 nm to provide an artificial gel for sample analysis;
- an illumination source providing illuminating light;
- illumination optics directing illuminating light from said source to said sample channels to Produce corresponding sample output beams;
- a detector array;
- and
- collection optics directing said output beams to corresponding detector elements of said detector array.
An optical system for chemical analysis of sample material in a porous medium, comprising:
- a replaceable optically clear channel block having first and second parallel surfaces;
- at least one microfabricated micron-scale sample channel on said first surface, said channel including an integral porous medium;
- at least one illuminating lens integral with said second surface of said channel block and aligned with a corresponding sample channel;
- an optically clear cover for said channel;
- illuminating light directed through said at least one lens and said channel block and being focused on said corresponding sample channel;
- a detector;
- and
- collection optics including at least one collector lens aligned with said corresponding sample channel for directing light from said channel to said detector, said illuminating lens and said collector lens having short focal lengths to provide a compact system for analysis.
An optical system for chemical analysis of sample material in a porous medium, comprising:
- a replaceable channel block having a first surface;
- at least one microfabricated sample channel on said first surface;
- a porous medium in and integral with said channel;
- an optically clear cover for said channel;
- at least one illuminating lens directing light through said cover to said sample channel;
- a detector;
- and
- collection optics including at least one collector lens aligned with said sample channel for directing light from said channel to said detector for detecting light produced by a sample material in said porous medium.
A microoptical system, comprising:
- an optically transparent carrier block incorporating at least one channel for receiving a sample material;
- an illumination lens integral with said carrier block and located to direct light to said channel;
- and
- a collector lens integral with said carrier block and located to direct light received from said channel to a detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.