Analysis of bioparticles in an optical microcavity
First Claim
1. An apparatus for bioparticle analysis comprising:
- an optical cavity with highly reflective structures arranged to confine light within a space;
a light source to provide a resonance condition with a periodic electromagnetic field in a standing wave in said cavity;
a photodetector to detect said resonance condition using light emitted from the cavity;
a means to locate a bioparticle in the cavity; and
means to detect differences or fluctuations in said light emitted from the cavity due to interaction of said bioparticle with said standing wave,whereby information about the bioparticle can be obtained and transformed to an output display.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides new methods and apparatus for rapidly analyzing a single bioparticle or a plurality of bioparticles to assess their condition. The invention is enabled by an optical microcavity comprising reflective structures to confine light and bioparticles in the same space. Under resonance conditions, an electromagnetic standing wave is established in the microcavity to interact with the bioparticle. Means are provided to bring a bioparticle into the microcavity and to detect changes in the resonance condition with and without the bioparticle in the microcavity. Information about the bioparticle is obtained using the benefits of light interactions as fast, non-contacting, and non-destructive.
41 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for bioparticle analysis comprising:
-
an optical cavity with highly reflective structures arranged to confine light within a space; a light source to provide a resonance condition with a periodic electromagnetic field in a standing wave in said cavity; a photodetector to detect said resonance condition using light emitted from the cavity; a means to locate a bioparticle in the cavity; and means to detect differences or fluctuations in said light emitted from the cavity due to interaction of said bioparticle with said standing wave, whereby information about the bioparticle can be obtained and transformed to an output display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification