Systems and methods enabling high-throughput, real time detection of analytes

A system for detecting a plurality of analytes comprising:

• a plurality of plasmonic interferometers, each plasmonic interferometer comprising:
• a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the plasmonic interferometer than the first surface, the first surface having a first groove and a second groove;
• and
• a slit disposed between the first groove and the second groove to define a first distance between the slit and the first groove and a second distance between the slit and the second groove;
• wherein the first and second distances are selected to provide controlled interference of light at the aperture slit;
• a light source for illuminating the first surface of each of the plurality of plasmonic interferometers;
• a plurality of detectors for detecting light transmitted through the slit of each plasmonic interferometer, each detector positioned proximate to the second surface of a corresponding plasmonic interferometer;
• and
• a plurality of sample holders, each sample holder disposing a sample to be analyzed onto the first surface of each plasmonic interferometer.

A system for detecting an analyte comprising:

• a plasmonic interferometer, the plasmonic interferometer comprising a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the plasmonic interferometer than the first surface, the first surface having a first groove and a second groove and a slit disposed between the first groove and the second groove to define a first distance between the slit and the first groove and a second distance between the slit and the second groove, wherein the first and second distances are selected to provide interference of light at the slit;
• a light source for illuminating the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer;
• a detector for detecting light transmitted through the slit, the detector positioned proximate to the second surface of the plasmonic interferometer;
• and
• a sample holder for disposing a sample to be analyzed onto the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer;
• wherein the sample comprises an oxidative or chromogenic dye selected to absorb particular light frequencies.