Laser illumination of multiple capillaries that form a waveguide

Patent · Tue Aug 04 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871761

Dhadwal, Harbans S ^[1]; Quesada, Mark A ^[2]; Studier, F William ^[3]

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1. Setauket, NY
2. Middle Island, NY
3. Stony Brook, NY

A system and method are disclosed for efficient laser illumination of the interiors of multiple capillaries simultaneously, and collection of light emitted from them. Capillaries in a parallel array can form an optical waveguide wherein refraction at the cylindrical surfaces confines side-on illuminating light to the core of each successive capillary in the array. Methods are provided for determining conditions where capillaries will form a waveguide and for assessing and minimizing losses due to reflection. Light can be delivered to the arrayed capillaries through an integrated fiber optic transmitter or through a pair of such transmitters aligned coaxially at opposite sides of the array. Light emitted from materials within the capillaries can be carried to a detection system through optical fibers, each of which collects light from a single capillary, with little cross talk between the capillaries. The collection ends of the optical fibers can be in a parallel array with the same spacing as the capillary array, so that the collection fibers can all be aligned to the capillaries simultaneously. Applicability includes improving the efficiency of many analytical methods that use capillaries, including particularly high-throughput DNA sequencing and diagnostic methods based on capillary electrophoresis.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities, Inc., Upton, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates LLC (Upton, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 5790727
• Application Number: 08/796,097
• OSTI ID: 871761
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

laser
illumination
multiple
capillaries
form
waveguide
method
disclosed
efficient
interiors
simultaneously
collection
light
emitted
parallel
array
optical
refraction
cylindrical
surfaces
confines
side-on
illuminating
core
successive
capillary
methods
provided
determining
conditions
assessing
minimizing
losses
due
reflection
delivered
arrayed
integrated
fiber
optic
transmitter
pair
transmitters
aligned
coaxially
opposite
materials
carried
detection
fibers
collects
single
talk
spacing
applicability
improving
efficiency
analytical
including
particularly
high-throughput
dna
sequencing
diagnostic
based
electrophoresis
diagnostic method
multiple capillaries
losses due
cylindrical surface
capillary electrophoresis
optical fibers
fiber optic
optical fiber
dna sequencing
light emitted
optical waveguide
capillary array
laser illumination
optical wave
parallel array
aligned coaxially
cylindrical surfaces
illuminating light
efficient laser
/385/204/