Planar optical waveguide with core of low-index-of-refraction interrogation medium
First Claim
1. An apparatus for illuminating a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a waveguide includinga first substrate including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, one of the first outer surface and the first inner surface comprising a reflective layer, anda second substrate including a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, being spaced apart from each other and partly defining a volume for confining the sample therein; and
a light source for providing light directed toward the waveguide such that the light is optically coupled to and contained within the waveguide between the reflective layer and the second outer surface, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for illuminating a sample includes a planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes a first substrate, including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a second substrate, including a second outer surface and a second inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, are spaced apart from each other and partly define a volume for confining the sample therein. The apparatus also includes a light source for providing light directed toward the planar waveguide, such that the light is optically coupled to and contained within the planar waveguide between the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume.
104 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for illuminating a sample, the apparatus comprising:
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a waveguide including a first substrate including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, one of the first outer surface and the first inner surface comprising a reflective layer, and a second substrate including a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, being spaced apart from each other and partly defining a volume for confining the sample therein; and a light source for providing light directed toward the waveguide such that the light is optically coupled to and contained within the waveguide between the reflective layer and the second outer surface, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28)
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15. A sample analysis system comprising:
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a waveguide, including a first substrate including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, a second substrate including a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, being spaced apart from each other by first and second gaskets therebetween, the gaskets and the substrates partly defining a volume for confining a sample therein, and an integrated lens configured to receive a first illumination and to insert the first illumination into the waveguide without being blocked by the gaskets; a first light source for providing the first illumination directed toward the integrated lens such that the first illumination is contained within the waveguide between the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates while illuminating at least a portion of, the sample confined within the volume; and a detector for detecting a first light signal emitted from the sample as a result of the first illumination interacting with the portion of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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29. An apparatus for illuminating a sample, the apparatus comprising:
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a waveguide, including a first substrate including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, a second substrate including a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, being spaced apart from each other by first and second stand-offs therebetween, the stand-offs and the substrates defining a volume for confining a sample therein, and an integrated lens configured to receive a light beam that is incident at an angle perpendicular to a surface normal of the first outer surface; and a first light source for providing the light beam directed toward the integrated lens such that the light beam propagates into the second substrate and is optically coupled to and contained within the waveguide between the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume.
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Specification