Waveguides for performing spectroscopy with confined effective observation volumes
First Claim
1. A zero mode waveguide, comprising a cladding surrounding a core, wherein the core is configured such that electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency entering the zero mode waveguide is substantially precluded from propagating longitudinally therethrough, wherein the core comprises a fluid containing at least a first material that is optically detectable in response to the electromagnetic energy.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for analysis of an analyte. The method involves providing a zero-mode waveguide which includes a cladding surrounding a core where the cladding is configured to preclude propagation of electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency longitudinally through the core of the zero-mode waveguide. The analyte is positioned in the core of the zero-mode waveguide and is then subjected, in the core of the zero-mode waveguide, to activating electromagnetic radiation of a frequency less than the cut-off frequency under conditions effective to permit analysis of the analyte in an effective observation volume which is more compact than if the analysis were carried out in the absence of the zero-mode waveguide.
169 Citations
33 Claims
- 1. A zero mode waveguide, comprising a cladding surrounding a core, wherein the core is configured such that electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency entering the zero mode waveguide is substantially precluded from propagating longitudinally therethrough, wherein the core comprises a fluid containing at least a first material that is optically detectable in response to the electromagnetic energy.
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21. A zero mode waveguide, comprising:
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a substantially transparent substrate layer; a cladding layer disposed upon the substrate layer; and a core disposed in the cladding layer, wherein the core is configured such that electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency entering the zero mode waveguide is substantially precluded from propagating longitudinally therethrough, and the core comprises a fluid containing at least a first material that emits fluorescence in response to the electromagnetic energy. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 27. A waveguide, comprising a cladding surrounding a core that is suitable for holding a biochemical reaction mixture, wherein the core is configured such that electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency entering the zero mode waveguide is substantially precluded from propagating longitudinally therethrough, and wherein the waveguide provides an effective observation volume that permits observation of a biochemical reaction involving a complex of analytes present in said mixture.
Specification