Methods and systems for analyzing a sample and generating a predictive model using cavity ring-down spectroscopy are disclosed. At least part of a sample is loaded in a ring-down cavity. For each of a set of wavelengths, a laser beam is generated and directed into the ring-down cavity. The laser beam entering the ring-down cavity is extinguished. Light intensity decay data for light exiting the ring-down cavity is registered via a light intensity sensor system. A probability is determined from the light intensity decay data for the set of wavelengths that a subject from which the sample was received has a physiological condition or a degree of the physiological condition at least indirectly using a dataset of light intensity decay data for previously analyzed samples for which the presence or the absence of the physiological condition or the degree of the physiological condition have been identified.

The present disclosure presents nanostructure-based localized surface plasmon resonance systems and related methods. In this regard, a method comprises applying a body fluid sample to a metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor with linker, intermediate, and capture/probe antibodies; illuminating the metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor with the monochromatic, broadband, or laser light; measuring an intensity or spectrum of absorbed, reflected, transmitted, or scattered exiting light from the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor having the body fluid sample and comparing the measured intensity or spectrum with a reference intensity; detecting a spectral shift of exiting light from the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor having the body fluid sample; and signaling that the body fluid sample is positive for a presence of a particular biomaterial in response to detecting the spectral shift of the exiting light, wherein the biomaterial has binded or adsorbed to the metal surface of the nanostructure-based LSPR biosensor.

Optical analytical devices and their methods of use are provided. The devices 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 include integrated illumination elements and optical waveguides for illumination of the optical reactions. The devices further provide for the efficient coupling of optical excitation energy from the waveguides to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices of the invention are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

There is provided a resonant cavity system. A first mirror is actuated at a first end of a resonant cavity to move in a direction between a first position relative to a second mirror at a second end of the resonant cavity, at which a cavity length between the first mirror and the second mirror is less than a resonance length for a laser beam, and a second position relative to the second mirror, at which the cavity length is greater than the resonance length. An event is triggered when the cavity length is proximal to the resonance length. The first mirror is continuously actuated to move in the direction between the first position and the second position during the event.

A method to measure the refractive index of a sample, includes: providing a plasmonic sensor including a sensing surface in contact with the sample; providing an optical resonator, the plasmonic sensor being integrated therein as a reflecting surface; providing a first input field of electromagnetic radiation as a primary carrier; providing a second input field of electromagnetic radiation as a secondary carrier having a second frequency different from the first and defined as: second frequency=first frequency+Δv and having a TE and/or a TM polarized component; impinging simultaneously with the first and second input field the plasmonic sensor; tuning the frequency of the first field and/or the value of Δv; detecting a resonator output power corresponding to the first and second intra-cavity fields resonating; determining a difference between the first and the second resonating frequencies; and calculating the refractive index of the sample from the difference.

Optical analytical devices and their methods of use are provided. The devices 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 include integrated illumination elements and optical waveguides for illumination of the optical reactions. The devices further provide for the efficient coupling of optical excitation energy from the waveguides to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices of the invention are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from afar-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

A bio-chip package comprises a substrate a first layer over the substrate comprising an image sensor. The bio-chip package also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a waveguide system a grating coupler. The bio-chip package also comprises a third layer arranged to accommodate a fluid between a first-third layer portion and a second-third layer portion, and to allow the fluid to pass from a first side of the third layer to a second side of the third layer. The third layer comprises a material having a predetermined transparency with respect to a wavelength of a received source light, the waveguide system is configured to direct the received source light to the grating coupler, and the image sensor is configured to determine a change in the wavelength of the source light caused by a coupling between the source light and the fluid.

The optical analyte detector is a photonic detector that uses a measured wavelength shift to determine the presence of an analyte. An open cell is formed in an optical layer for receiving a sample to be analyzed. A transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer defines a bottom wall of the open cell, and the transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer is formed directly above a microring resonator. A waveguide is positioned adjacent to the open cell, and is spaced apart therefrom by a gap. The waveguide is coupled to the microring resonator, and the transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer is functionalized with an adsorbed layer for detection of a specific analyte. Molecular binding takes place if a sample of the analyte contacts the adsorbed layer, which induces a wavelength shift in light transmitted through the waveguide. The presence of this measured wavelength shift indicates positive detection of the analyte.

Methods and systems for analyzing a sample and generating a predictive model using cavity ring-down spectroscopy are disclosed. At least part of a sample is loaded in a ring-down cavity. For each of a set of wavelengths, a laser beam is generated and directed into the ring-down cavity. The laser beam entering the ring-down cavity is extinguished. Light intensity decay data for light exiting the ring-down cavity is registered via a light intensity sensor system. A probability is determined from the light intensity decay data for the set of wavelengths that a subject from which the sample was received has a physiological condition or a degree of the physiological condition at least indirectly using a dataset of light intensity decay data for previously analyzed samples for which the presence or the absence of the physiological condition or the degree of the physiological condition have been identified.