Backscattering interferometric methods
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate having a channel formed therein for reception of a sample to be analyzed;
(b) introducing a sample to be analyzed into the channel;
(c) directing a light beam from a light source onto the substrate such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the sample to generate scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a substrate/channel interface, and the sample, wherein the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns including a plurality of spaced light bands whose positions change in position or intensity in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample;
(d) detecting positional shifts and/or intensity changes in fringe patterns positioned on opposing sides of a centroid; and
(e) determining the characteristic property of the sample from the positional shifts of the fringe patterns.
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Abstract
Disclosed are improved optical detection methods comprising multiplexed interferometric detection systems and methods for determining a characteristic property of a sample, together with various applications of the disclosed techniques.
317 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a substrate having a channel formed therein for reception of a sample to be analyzed; (b) introducing a sample to be analyzed into the channel; (c) directing a light beam from a light source onto the substrate such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the sample to generate scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a substrate/channel interface, and the sample, wherein the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns including a plurality of spaced light bands whose positions change in position or intensity in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample; (d) detecting positional shifts and/or intensity changes in fringe patterns positioned on opposing sides of a centroid; and (e) determining the characteristic property of the sample from the positional shifts of the fringe patterns. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An interferometric detection system comprising:
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(a) a substrate; (b) a channel formed in the substrate for reception of a sample to be analyzed; (c) a light source for generating a light beam, the light source being positioned to direct the light beam onto the substrate such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, to thereby generate 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 including a plurality of spaced light bands whose positions shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample; (d) a first photodetector for receiving scattered light from a fringe pattern disposed on one side of a centroid, and generating a plurality of intensity signals; (e) a second photodetector for receiving scattered light from a fringe pattern disposed on the opposing side of the centroid, and generating a plurality of intensity signals; and (f) at least one signal analyzer for receiving the intensity signals and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the sample at one or more of the discrete zones along the length of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus adapted for light scattering interferometry, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a substrate; (b) a channel formed in the substrate capable of receiving a sample to be analyzed; (c) a light source for generating a light beam capable of being directed onto the substrate such that the light beam is incident on the channel and thereby generates scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns; (d) a photodetector for receiving scattered light from two sister fringe patterns disposed on opposing sides of a centroid and generating a plurality of intensity signals; (e) two mirrors and/or lenses adapted and positioned to direct the scattered light from two sister fringe patterns disposed on opposing sides of the centroid onto the photodetector; and (f) at least one signal analyzer capable of receiving the intensity signals and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a substrate having a channel formed therein for reception of a sample to be analyzed; (b) introducing a sample to be analyzed into the channel; (c) directing a light beam from a light source onto the substrate such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the sample to generate scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a substrate/channel interface, and the sample, wherein the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns including a plurality of spaced light bands whose positions change in position or intensity in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample; (d) detecting positional shifts and/or intensity changes in fringe patterns positioned on opposing sides of a centroid; and (e) determining the characteristic property of the sample from the positional shifts of the fringe patterns, wherein determining comprises performing a calculation with two sister fringes positioned on opposing sides of the centroid. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification