CYTOMETRY SYSTEM WITH QUANTUM CASCADE LASER SOURCE, ACOUSTIC DETECTOR, AND MICRO-FLUIDIC CELL HANDLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED FOR INSPECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CELLS

摘要

This disclosure concerns a cytometry system including a handling system that presents single cells to at least one quantum cascade laser (QCL) source. The QCL laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce resonant mid-IR vibrational absorption by one or more analytes, leading to local heating that results in thermal expansion and an associated shockwave. An acoustic detection facility that detects the shockwave emitted by the single cell.