Robust interferometer and methods of using same

1. An interferometric detection system comprising:

(a) a microfluidic device having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and wherein the channel is configured for reception of two or more liquid samples by having at least two inlets positioned at opposing locations of the channel, and at least one outlet positioned at a point between the at least two inlets, thereby defining a right side of the channel on one side of the at least one outlet and a left side of the channel on another side of the at least one outlet;

(b) a light source for generating a light beam, wherein the light beam is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the channel, and wherein the light source is positioned to direct the light beam onto the channel such that the light beam is simultaneously incident on at least a portion of the right side of the channel and at least a portion of the left side of the channel, such that, during operation, scattered light is generated through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a channel interface and the two or more samples, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the two or more samples; and

(c) a photodetector for simultaneously receiving the scattered light and generating a plurality of intensity signals.

2. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one signal analyzer for receiving a plurality of intensity signals and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the two or more samples.

3. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of reservoirs, wherein each of the plurality of reservoirs is in fluid communication with one of the at least two inlets.

4. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , further comprising two or more samples, wherein at least one of the two or more samples comprises a reference.

5. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , further comprising scattered light received by the photodetector, wherein the scattered light comprises backscattered light.

6. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , wherein a single light beam is incident upon the channel.

7. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical element positioned between the light source and the channel, wherein the optical element is capable of at least one of spreading, splitting, rastering, or a combination thereof the light beam in a direction parallel to the length of the channel.

8. The interferometric detection system of claim 7 , wherein the optical element is capable of spreading the light beam in a direction parallel to the length of the channel.

9. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , wherein the photodetector is capable of spatially resolving scattered light incident on a surface thereof.

10. The interferometric detection system of claim 1 , wherein a first discrete zone is disposed between a first inlet and the at least one outlet, and wherein a second discrete zone is disposed between a second inlet and the at least one outlet.

11. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a sample positioned inside the channel of the interferometric system of claim 1 ;

(b) interrogating the sample with the light beam, such that the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 8 mm in length along the longitudinal direction; and

(c) generating scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a channel interface and the sample, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of intensity signals with a signal analyzer and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of the sample.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 10 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the scattered light is backscattered light.

15. A method for determining a characteristic property of a sample comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the interferometric detection system of claim 1 ;

(b) introducing a first sample into the left side of the channel;

(c) introducing a second sample into the right side of the channel;

(d) simultaneously interrogating the samples with the light beam; and

(e) generating scattered light through reflective and refractive interaction of the light beam with a channel interface and the samples, the scattered light comprising interference fringe patterns elongated in at least one direction, wherein the interference fringe patterns shift in response to changes in the refractive index of the sample.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of intensity signals with a signal analyzer and determining therefrom one or more characteristic properties of at least one of the samples.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 4 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the scattered light is backscattered light.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the light beam is incident on at least a portion of the channel, wherein a length of the incidence is greater than 8 mm in length along the longitudinal direction.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first and second samples are introduced substantially simultaneously.