Single particle qcl-based mid-ir spectroscopy system with analysis of scattering

Abstract

This disclosure concerns a system with scattering analysis including a handling system that presents a single particle to at least one quantum cascade laser (QCL) source. The QCL laser source is configured to deliver light to the single particle in order to induce resonant mid-infrared absorption in the particle or an analyte within the particle. A mid-infrared detection facility detects the mid-infrared wavelength light scattered by the single particle, wherein a wavelength and angle analysis of the scattered mid-IR wavelength light is used to determine analyte-specific structural and concentration information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system with scattering analysis, comprising:
 a handling system that presents a single particle to at least one quantum cascade laser (QCL) source;   the at least one QCL source configured to deliver light to the single particle in order to induce resonant mid-infrared absorption in the particle or an analyte within the particle; and   a mid-infrared detection facility that detects a mid-infrared wavelength light scattered by the single particle,   wherein an analysis of intensity versus at least one of wavelength and angle of the scattered mid-infrared wavelength light is used to determine analyte-specific structural and concentration information.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the particle is a cell. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sort facility for sorting the single particle according to one or more of a transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light and the scattered mid-infrared wavelength light.