Optical detector system

• US 20050023445A1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Renzi, Ronald F., Horn, Brent A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,998,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/214.R
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/024 Modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/74 Optical detectors measurement of intensity, velocity, spectral content, polarisation, or phase of infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01J

Abstract

A modular optical detector system. The detector system is designed to detect the presence of molecules or molecular species by inducing fluorescence with exciting radiation and detecting the emitted fluorescence. Because the system is capable of accurately detecting and measuring picomolar concentrations it is ideally suited for use with microchemical analysis systems generally and capillary chromatographic systems in particular. By employing a modular design, the detector system provides both the ability to replace various elements of the detector system without requiring extensive realignment or recalibration of the components as well as minimal user interaction with the system. In addition, the modular concept provides for the use and addition of a wide variety of components, including optical elements (lenses and filters), light sources, and detection means, to fit particular needs.

Claims

1. A modular optical detector system, comprising:

a first module, wherein said first module comprises;

a light source, and

optical elements for modifying light from said light source and directing the modified light onto a detection region and collecting radiation emitted therefrom; and

a second module, w herein said second module comprises detection means for receiving and analyzing the emitted radiation, and w herein said first module is in optical communication with said second module.

2. The modular optical detector system of claim 1, wherein said first module and said second module comprise a unitary structure.

3. The modular detector system of claim 2, w herein said first module is superposed on said second module.

4. The modular optical detector system of claim 1, wherein said light source is incorporated into an excitation source including collimating optics and filters.

5. The detector system of claim 4, w herein the excitation source is demountably engaged on a dovetail rail, w hereby the components of the excitation source are maintained in a fixed and stable orientation.

6. The modular optical detector system of claim 1, wherein the light source is capable of providing light having a wavelength ranging from the infrared to the ultraviolet.

7. The system of claim 6, w herein said light source includes lasers, light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers, or dipole pumped solid state lasers.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said light source is a laser.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said laser produces light having a wavelength of about 405 nm

10. The modular optical detector system of claim 1, wherein the optical elements are contained within a beam positioning block that provides for proper positioning of said optical elements with respect to a detector area.

11. The modular optical detector system of claim 1, wherein the optical elements include a beam steering mirror system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam steering mirror system comprises a 4 mirror system.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes, array detectors, charge-coupled devices, or photosensitive detectors.