Robust interferometer and methods of using same

• US 10,261,013 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vanderbilt University
• Original Assignee: Vanderbilt University
• Inventors: Bornhop, Darryl J., Kammer, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyun, Paul S
• Application Number:
  US15/199,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20160327480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02001 characterised by controlling or generating intrinsic radiation properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/458 using interferential sensor, e.g. sensor fibre, possibly on optical waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/45 using interferometric methods; using Schlieren methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/75 Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated systems in which material is burnt in a flame or plasma G01N21/72, G01N21/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 Coherent sources; lasers

Abstract

Provided are improved optical detection systems and methods for using same, which systems and methods comprise single channel interferometric detection systems and methods for determining a characteristic property of samples. Such interferometric detection systems and methods employ a light beam that impinges two or more discrete zones along a channel, thereby avoiding variations that can result in increases in detection limits and/or measurement errors.

Claims

1. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a sample positioned inside a channel of a capillary tube, wherein the channel has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction;

(b) interrogating the sample with a light beam, wherein the light beam is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the channel, such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 8 mm in length along the longitudinal direction; and

(c) generating scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a substrate/channel interface and the sample, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of intensity signals with a signal analyzer and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the sample.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 10 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scattered light is backscattered light.

5. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a capillary tube having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and wherein the channel is configured for reception of two or more liquid samples by having at least two inlets positioned at opposing locations of the channel, and at least one outlet positioned at a point between the at least two inlets, thereby defining a right side of the channel on one side of the at least one outlet and a left side of the channel on another side of the at least one outlet;

(b) introducing a first sample into the left side of the channel;

(c) introducing a second sample into the right side of the channel;

(d) simultaneously interrogating the samples with a light beam, wherein the light beam is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the channel, such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the left side of the channel and the right side of the channel; and

(e) generating scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a substrate/channel interface and the samples, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of intensity signals with a signal analyzer and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of at least one of the sample.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 4 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the scattered light is backscattered light.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 8 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second samples are introduced substantially simultaneously.

11. An interferometric detection system comprising:

(a) a capillary tube having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and wherein the channel is configured for reception of two or more liquid samples by having at least two inlets positioned at opposing locations of the channel, and at least one outlet positioned at a point between the at least two inlets, thereby defining a right side of the channel on one side of the at least one outlet and a left side of the channel on another side of the at least one outlet;

(b) a light source for generating a light beam, wherein the light beam is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the channel, and wherein the light source is positioned to direct the light beam onto the channel such that the light beam is simultaneously incident on at least a portion of the right side of the channel and at least a portion of the left side of the channel, such that, during operation, scattered light is generated through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a channel interface and the two or more samples, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the two or more samples; and

(c) a photodetector for simultaneously receiving the scattered light and generating a plurality of intensity signals.

12. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, further comprising at least one signal analyzer for receiving a plurality of intensity signals and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the two or more samples.

13. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of reservoirs, wherein each of the plurality of reservoirs is in fluid communication with one of the at least two inlets.

14. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, further comprising two or more samples, wherein at least one of the two or more samples comprises a reference.

15. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, further comprising scattered light received by the photodetector, wherein the scattered light comprises backscattered light.

16. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, wherein a single light beam is incident upon the channel.

17. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, further comprising an optical element positioned between the light source and the channel, wherein the optical element is capable of at least one of spreading, splitting, rastering, or a combination thereof the light beam in a direction parallel to the length of the channel.

18. The interferometric detection system of claim 17, wherein the optical element is capable of spreading the light beam in a direction parallel to the length of the channel.

19. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, wherein the photodetector is capable of spatially resolving scattered light incident on a surface thereof.

20. The interferometric detection system of claim 11, wherein a first discrete zone is disposed between a first inlet and the at least one outlet, and wherein a second discrete zone is disposed between a second inlet and the at least one outlet.