WAVEGUIDE-BASED DETECTION SYSTEM WITH SCANNING LIGHT SOURCE

摘要

The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light source allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.

主权项

1. A detection system for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule comprising:
a substrate comprising one or more excitation waveguides, a plurality of collection waveguides, the one or more excitation waveguides and the plurality of collection waveguides crossing to form an array of intersection regions where an excitation waveguide and a collection waveguide cross and provide optical communication with the intersection region at each crossing, and a plurality of optical sensing sites each in optical communication with an intersection region; a scanning light source, wherein the scanning light source is at some point along its scanning path in optical communication with at least one of the one or more excitation waveguides; a detector that is in optical communication with one or more of the collection waveguides; and an actuator for spatially translating a light beam emitted from the scanning light source relative to the substrate such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with at least one of the one or more excitation waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path.