Patent ID: 6899849
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An integrated optical chip device for molecular diagnostics, comprising: (a) a pair of lasers comprising a reference laser and a sensor laser, each comprising a waveguide having a gain section, opposing mirrors, including a partially transmissive mirror, and a coherent light beam output section, at least one of the waveguides having a phase control section, the coherent light beam output sections being joined to enable coherent light outputs of the reference and sensor lasers to interfere; (b) a sample chamber having an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for discharging effluent and comprising a sensor cavity physically separate from said phase control section, whereby a sample in the sample chamber is not in contact with the phase control section; (c) a heterodyne detector at the juncture of the reference and sensor coherent light output sections, for detecting a change in the frequency of the coherent light output from the sensor laser resulting from a change in the index of refraction of fluid in the sample chamber; and (d) microfluidic chip formed with a sample cavity having microchannels for feeding fluid to the inlet and discharging effluent from the outlet of the sample chamber; wherein the sensor cavity is formed through and exposing evanescent field material of the sensor laser.