Devices and methods for dual excitation raman spectroscopy

Abstract

Spectroscopic analysis systems and methods for analyzing samples are disclosed. An analysis system may contain an electromagnetic radiation source to provide radiation, a spectroscopic analysis chamber to perform a coherent Raman spectroscopy (e.g., stimulated Raman or coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy), and a radiation detector to detect radiation based on the spectroscopy. The chamber may have a resonant cavity to contain a sample for analysis, at least one window to the cavity to transmit the first radiation into the cavity and to transmit a second radiation out, a plurality of reflectors affixed to a housing of the cavity to reflect radiation of a predetermined frequency, the plurality of reflectors separated by a distance that is sufficient to resonate the radiation. The spectroscopic analysis system may be coupled with a nucleic acid sequencing system to receive a single nucleic acid derivative in solution and identify the derivative to sequence the nucleic acid.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for nucleic acid sequencing comprising:
 a reaction chamber having an immobilization surface for attachment of a nucleic acid molecule to be sequenced;   a microfluidic channel coupled to the reaction chamber for transporting nucleotides released from the nucleic acid molecule;   a microchannel coupled to the microfluidic channel at an entrance for receiving the nucleotides,   a region of nanoparticles positioned within the microchannel, the region of nanoparticles being configured to allow passage of the nucleotides;   an excitation source proximate the region of nanoparticles, the excitation source being configured to excite the nucleotides passing through the region of nanoparticles; and   a detector configured to detect the excited nucleotides.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a pair of electrodes configured to create an electrical potential gradient proximate the entrance to drive the nucleotides from the microfluidic channel into the microchannel. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticles are cross-linked. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticles are gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticles are silver nanoparticles. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the size of the nanoparticles are from 5 nm to 60 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the excitation source is a laser.