An apparatus for capturing a target analyte in advance of performing spectroscopic analysis to determine the existence of the target analyte from a source contacted with a collection substrate. The collection substrate is fabricated of a material selected to have an affinity for the target analyte, sufficiently transparent in a spectral region of interest and capable of immobilizing the target analyte thereon in a manner that limits scattering sufficient to obscure spectral analysis. The collection substrate may be coated with a material selected to react with, bind to, or absorb the target analyte. The target analyte may be captured to the collection substrate by one or more of wiping, dabbing or swabbing a target analyte carrier with the collection substrate.

Disclosed herein are integrated photonics systems (3800) for biosensing including an interrogator photonic circuit (3802) and cartridge (3804) and methods using these systems. The cartridge (3804) comprises a sensor photonic integrated subcircuit. The cartridge (3804) is configured to receive a biological sample. The interrogator photonic circuit (3802) is optically coupled to the cartridge (3804) an comprises: (i) a light source (3806) configured to generate light; and (ii) one or more waveguides configured to carry the light, wherein the light is used to determine a characteristic of the biological sample in the cartridge (3804). A system can have an assembly of a plurality of modular photonic integrated subcircuits. Each subcircuit can be pre-fabricated and can be configured to transfer light to and receive light from another subcircuit based on the first functionality. An output port of a first subset of the subcircuits can be configured to be aligned with an input port of a second subset of the subcircuits. At least one subcircuit can be configured to be removed from the first integrated photonics assembly and connected to a second integrated photonics assembly having a second functionality. The first integrated photonics assembly can be different from the second integrated photonics assembly and the first functionality can be different from the second functionality.

Methods to identify fungal or bacterial species using Raman spectrometry, among other techniques are described. The identification can occur from samples taken directly from cultures grown from a patient sample. The methods significantly decrease the time required to identity a fungal or bacterial species in a clinical setting, allowing more effective treatments, especially in low birth weight neonates and immunocompromised individuals.

An integrated Raman spectrum measurement system and a modularized laser module are provided. The modularized laser module includes a laser emitter and an axis adjustment mechanism. The laser emitter is configured to emit a laser beam. The axis adjustment mechanism is connected to the laser emitter and configured to adjust at least two parameters of axis and orientation of the laser emitter. A beam splitter is disposed on the path of the laser beam. A signal collection unit is for collecting at least a part of a signal light from the beam splitter, wherein the signal light is converting by an object after receiving the part of the laser beam.

Disclosed are a surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based biosensor for diagnosing prostate cancer with high sensitivity and a method of detecting a prostate-cancer-derived target biomarker using the same.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a cryopreserved biological sample (1), comprising the steps of providing the biological sample (1) in a cryopreserved state, measuring at least one Raman spectroscopic sample characteristic by means of a Raman spectroscopic measuring apparatus (10, 20), comparing the at least one sample characteristic with a reference characteristic by means of an evaluating apparatus (30), and providing a state characteristic that depends on the result of the comparison and that is characteristic of a storage state of the biological sample (1). The invention further relates to a monitoring device for cryopreserved samples, in particular for performing said method.

A SERS unit 1A comprises a SERS element 2 having a substrate 21 and an optical function part 20 formed on the substrate 21, the optical function part 20 for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; a transportation board 3 supporting the SERS element 2 during transportation, the SERS element 2 being removed from the transportation board 3 upon measurement; and a holding part 4 having a pinching part 41 pinching the SERS element 2 in cooperation with the transportation board 3, and detachably holding the SERS element 2 in the transportation board 3.

A system and method for assaying high and low abundant biomolecules within a biological fluid sample is provided. The method includes: a) placing a biological fluid sample in contact with a first nanostructure surface; b) interrogating the sample with a light source, the sample in contact with the first nanostructure surface, the interrogation using a SERS technique; c) detecting an enhanced Raman scattering from at least one high abundant biomolecule type and producing first signals representative thereof; d) placing the sample in contact with a second nanostructure surface having a targeting agent that targets a low abundant biomolecule; e) interrogating the sample with the light source using the SERS technique; f) detecting the enhanced Raman scattering from the low abundant biomolecules and producing second signals representative thereof; and g) assaying the biological fluid sample using the first signals and the second signals.

A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.

A kit, system and method for the detection of a pathogen, in particular SARS-CoV-2, by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) obtained from a sample brought into contact with non-magnetic native metal nanoparticles. The kit includes the non-magnetic native metal nanoparticles and a software designed to detect the presence of the pathogen in the sample.