Analytic devices comprising optical waveguides and nanometer-scale apertures and methods of uses thereof

摘要

This invention provides substrates for use in various applications, including single-molecule analytical reactions. Methods for propagating optical energy within a substrate are provided. Devices comprising waveguide substrates and dielectric omnidirectional reflectors are provided. Waveguide substrates with improved uniformity of optical energy intensity across one or more waveguides and enhanced waveguide illumination efficiency within an analytic detection region of the arrays are provided.

主权项

1. An analytic device, comprising:
a substrate comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a detection region; at least one optical waveguide disposed within the substrate, wherein the optical waveguide traverses the detection region, and wherein the optical waveguide receives optical energy from an optical energy source at a first end, and further wherein the optical waveguide is configured to have a gradually increasing confinement of the optical energy in a propagation direction of the optical energy such that the confinement is lower at the first end than in the detection region; and at least one nanometer-scale aperture in the detection region, wherein the nanometer-scale aperture penetrates into a first side of the substrate and extends toward a core of the optical waveguide such that a reaction site within the nanometer-scale aperture is sufficiently proximal to the core to be illuminated by an evanescent field emanating from the core when optical energy is passed through the optical waveguide.