Patent ID: 6790671
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: B82Y,G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for optically analyzing a polymer of linked units comprising:(a) an optical source constructed to emit optical radiation of a known wavelength; (b) a fluid-filled microchannel adapted to transport individual molecules of said polymer being analyzed; (c) an alignment station constructed and arranged to at least partially straighten the individual polymer molecules, said alignment station being in fluid communication with the microchannel and including means for accelerating the fluid passing therethrough; (d) an interaction station constructed to receive said optical radiation and produce a localized radiation spot from said optical radiation, said interaction station being also constructed to sequentially receive said at least partially straightened polymer molecules and arranged to irradiate sequentially said molecules at said localized radiation spot, whereby, when irradiated, the polymer molecules emit detectable characteristic signals; (e) an optical detector for receiving said characteristic signals resulting from interaction of said molecules at said localized radiation spot; and (f) a processor in communication with the optical detector constructed and arranged to analyze said polymer based on said received characteristic signals.