Particulate sampling apparatus, particulate sampling substrate and particulate sampling method

A particulate sampling method, at a channel branching section of a channel, comprising:

• an introduction channel capable of introducing a dispersion solvent;
• and
• a plurality of branch channels communicating with said introduction channel;
• wherein
• said particulate sampling method includes the steps of
• controlling the flow direction of a dispersion solvent for particulates, and
• dispersing desired ones of said particulates into a desired one of said branch channels
• by generating a bubble in said dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam used as a heat source, and
• the flow direction of said dispersion solvent at said channel branching section is controlled by said bubble.

A particulate sampling apparatus configured to control the flow direction of a dispersion solvent for particulates, at a channel branching section of a channel comprising:

• an introduction channel capable of introducing said dispersion solvent;
• and
• a plurality of branch channels communicating with said introduction channel, so as to disperse desired ones of said particulates into a selected one of said branch channels;
• wherein
• said apparatus includes light irradiation means by which a bubble can be generated in said dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam used as a heat source, and
• the flow direction of said dispersion solvent at said channel branching section is controlled by said bubble,
• said light irradiation means is so configured as to be able to generate said bubble in said dispersion solvent in a chamber communicating with said introduction channel, and
• the flow direction of said dispersion solvent at said channel branching section is controlled on the basis of the discharge pressure of said dispersion solvent discharged from, said chamber due to said generated bubble.