Photonic crystal laser sources for chemical detection

摘要

A system, method and apparatus provide the ability to detect a chemical in an analyte. To detect the chemical, the invention utilizes a laser having an open cavity. A photonic crystal lattice structure having a defect defines a suitable geometry for such a cavity. The analyte is introduced directly into a high optical field of the cavity. Thereafter, the cavity is pumped and an emission from the laser is used to detect the presence of the chemical in the analyte.