In one example, testing cells extend along a length of a slot. Each testing cell includes a microfluidic channel extending from the slot, a pump to move fluid from the slot into the channel, a discharge nozzle through which fluid exits the channel, a fluid discharger to discharge fluid from the channel through the nozzle and a photosensor. A light guide is provided to receive light from an external light source and is to serially transmit the light to the microfluidic channel of each of the plurality of testing cells.

A chip-scale, reusable sensor can detect aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), rapidly in water without sample preparation. The device is capable of real-time, continuous monitoring for BTEX solutes, which diffuse into a film, such as a polymer, on the sensors surface. In operation BTEX analytes concentrate in the film, causing an increase in refractive index, which modulates evanescent coupling into the chips integrated photodetector array. Integration of the photodetector array simplifies system instrumentation and permits incorporation of an on-chip photocurrent reference region in the immediate vicinity of the sensing region, reducing drift due to temperature fluctuations. In some examples, the chip responds linearly for BTEX concentrations between 1 ppm and 30 ppm, with a limit of detection of 359 ppb, 249 ppb, and 103 ppb for benzene, toluene, and xylene in water, respectively.

Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The integrated devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The arrays and methods of the invention make use of silicon chip fabrication and manufacturing techniques developed for the electronics industry and highly suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

A reflective element for directing an optical signal into a fiber optic sensor having an optical fiber includes a plane containing a sharply defined straight line that separates between a first area of low reflectivity and a second area of high reflectivity. The plane is disposed parallel to a free end surface of the optical fiber so that the free end surface intersects the line of the reflective element, whereby relative movement between the free end surface of the optical fiber and the line in response to a physical change sensed by the fiber optic sensor induces variations in an optical signal reflected by the reflective element through the optical fiber, which variations allow measurement of the physical change.

A fluid sensor for performing a reference measurement includes a support structure having a top main surface region; a thermal emitter on the top main surface region of the support structure; a first waveguide section and a first thermal radiation detector on the top main surface region of the support structure; and a cover structure on at least one part of the first waveguide section. The first waveguide section guides a first portion of the thermal radiation emitted by the thermal emitter to the first thermal radiation detector. The first thermal radiation detector detects the guided first portion of the thermal radiation for performing the reference measurement.

A quantum cascade detector includes a semiconductor substrate; an active layer having a cascade structure; a lower cladding layer provided between the active layer and the substrate and having a lower refractive index than the active layer; a lower metal layer provided between the lower cladding layer and the substrate; an upper cladding layer provided on an opposite side to the substrate with respect to the active layer and having a lower refractive index than the active layer; and an upper metal layer provided on an opposite side to the active layer with respect to the upper cladding layer. A first end face being in a waveguide direction in a waveguide structure with the active layer, lower cladding layer, and upper cladding layer is an entrance surface for light to be detected.

Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices include an integrated diffractive beam shaping element that provides for the spatial separation of light emitted from the optical reactions.

An authentication structure and an authenticating method using the same are provided. The authentication structure includes a plurality of input couplers that generate surface plasmons by being selectively coupled to lights because the plurality of input couplers are different in terms of at least one of a geometric structure and an arrangement, and an output coupler that outputs a speckle pattern based on the surface plasmons.

An optical device including a waveguide microresonator, laid out to guide a light beam along a closed loop optical path; and at least one injection and/or extraction waveguide, optically coupled to the microresonator for injection and/or extraction of the light beam. The microresonator is composed of a plurality of elementary waveguides with a spacing between them, and located one after the other to form a loop-shaped layout. Among other things, the invention increases the sensitivity of the microresonator to the surrounding medium.

Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices include an integrated diffractive beam shaping element that provides for the spatial separation of light emitted from the optical reactions.