Abstract: A photoacoustic flow cell, the components of which may be made well in advance of conducting photoacoustic analysis, comprising (a) a chamber structure that defines a chamber, a chamber inlet, and a chamber outlet, and (b) a glass test structure, at least a portion of which is supported by the chamber structure and at least a portion of which is located in the chamber, wherein the test structure comprises an interior surface that defines a test passageway through which samples will be flowed when conducting the photoacoustic analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting total internal reflection photoacoustic spectroscopy (TIRPAS) comprising using a pulsed laser source to emit a thermally or stress confined laser beam at a prism comprising a surface to be in contact with a sample such that the laser beam travels through the prism to a location at an interface between the prism and the sample to form an evanescent field extending into the sample to generate a detectable photoacoustic response to the evanescent field by an analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting total internal reflection photoacoustic spectroscopy (TIRPAS) comprising using a pulsed laser source to emit a thermally or stress confined laser beam at a prism comprising a surface to be in contact with a sample such that the laser beam travels through the prism to a location at an interface between the prism and the sample to form an evanescent field extending into the sample to generate a detectable photoacoustic response to the evanescent field by an analyte in the sample.