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Myron T Coolbaugh

Howard P Groger

K Peter Lo

William F Sullivan

Russell J Churchill

John W Raymonda

Roger L Reynolds

An instrument for total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy having modular probe that inexpensively monitors vapors and liquid-phase analytes under field conditions is described. The system is particularly helpful in evaluating multiple analytes using the fluorescence of a material immobilized in a thin sorbent polymer coating. At the same time, the system is capable of monitoring trace quantities of analyte using a fluorescence-read immunological reaction. The device includes a diode laser source, a shaped optical element (which may be as simple as a microscope slide), and one or more amplified photodiode detectors. The shaped optical element propagates light from the diode laser in a series of internally reflective bounces.

Modular probe for total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy

The present sensor allows the user of any diode laser structure to be employed to provide sensitive chemical and biological detector. A diode laser electrochemical sensor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,407 &ldquo;Laser Diode Sensor&rdquo;. The present invention surpasses the capabilities of those sensors by measuring changes in the output power, output spectral characteristics or output signal auto-correlation function to detect the presence of chemical or biological films within the sensitive region.

Diode laser electrochemical sensor for detecting chemical and biological analytes

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Christiansburg, VA, United States of America

Myron T Coolbaugh