Diffraction grating-based encoded micro-particles for multiplexed experiments
First Claim
1. An optical identification element attached to a chemical, comprising:
- an optical substrate;
at least a portion of said substrate having at least one diffraction grating disposed therein, said grating having at least one refractive index pitch superimposed at a common location;
the grating providing an output optical signal when illuminated by an incident light signal;
said optical output signal being indicative of a code in said substrate; and
the chemical being attached to said substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Microparticles 8 includes an optical substrate 10 having at least one diffraction grating 12 disposed therein. The grating 12 having a plurality of colocated pitches Λ which represent a unique identification digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light 24. The incident light 24 may be directed transversely from the side of the substrate 10 with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases. The micro-particles 8 can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The micro-particles 8 are functionalized by coating them with a material/substance of interest, which are then used to perform multiplexed experiments involving chemical processes, e.g., DNA testing and combinatorial chemistry.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An optical identification element attached to a chemical, comprising:
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an optical substrate;
at least a portion of said substrate having at least one diffraction grating disposed therein, said grating having at least one refractive index pitch superimposed at a common location;
the grating providing an output optical signal when illuminated by an incident light signal;
said optical output signal being indicative of a code in said substrate; and
the chemical being attached to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A microparticle attached to a chemical comprising:
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an optical substrate;
at least a portion of said substrate having at least one diffraction grating disposed therein, said grating having at least one refractive index pitch superimposed at a common location;
the grating providing an output optical signal when illuminated by an incident light signal;
said optical output signal being indicative of a code in said substrate; and
the chemical being attached to said substrate.
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19. A method of performing a multiplexed experiment, comprising:
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obtaining an optical substrate at least a portion of which having a diffraction grating with one or more refractive index pitches superimposed at a common location;
attaching a chemical to said substrate;
illuminating said substrate with incident light, said substrate providing an output light signal; and
reading said output light signal and detecting a code therefrom.
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Specification