Field imager

Abstract

A detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a sample, the detection apparatus comprising a chamber, ports for introducing a sample within the chamber, an actuation unit for establishing a controllable electromagnetic field in the chamber; and a sensing unit for sensing changes in the electromagnetic field due to the presence of the sample within the chamber. The sensing unit comprises a sensor device comprising a source and a drain embedded in a FET a gate for the FET, in which the gate is formed of a material whose conductivity is related to the electromagnetic field established in a nonconductive medium in contact with the gate.

1 . A sensor device, comprising: 
 a source and a drain embedded in a FET;    a gate for the FET, in which the gate is formed of a material whose conductivity is sensitive to an electric or magnetic field established in a nonconductive medium in contact with the gate.    
   
   
       2 . The sensor device of  claim 1  wherein the electric or magnetic field is a time varying electromagnetic field.  
   
   
       3 . The sensor device of  claim 1  further comprising an additional gate and an additional drain forming an additional FET, with the source acting as a source for the additional gate and additional drain.  
   
   
       4 . The sensor device of  claim 3  in which the FET is a p-type FET and the additional FET is an n-type FET.  
   
   
       5 . The sensor device of  claim 1  connected in an array of sensor devices.  
   
   
       6 . The sensor device of  claim 1  connected to a detection apparatus, the detection apparatus comprising: 
 a chamber;    a port for introducing a sample into the chamber; and    an actuation unit for establishing a controllable electromagnetic field in the chamber;    whereby the sensor device in operation senses changes in the electromagnetic field due to the presence of the sample within the electromagnetic field.    
   
   
       7 . The sensor device of  claim 4  connected to a detection apparatus, the detection apparatus comprising: 
 a chamber;    a port for introducing a sample into the chamber; and    an actuation unit for establishing a controllable electromagnetic field in the chamber;    whereby the sensor device in operation senses changes in the electromagnetic field due to the presence of the sample within the electromagnetic field.    
   
   
       8 . The sensor device of  claim 7 , wherein the changes in the electromagnetic field sensed by the sensor device are used to determine the impedance of the sample.  
   
   
       9 . The sensor device of  claim 7  wherein a characterization unit uses the changes sensed by the sensor unit to make a 2D image of the electromagnetic field.  
   
   
       10 . The sensor device of  claim 7  wherein the actuation unit is responsive to feedback from the sensor device.  
   
   
       11 - 40 . (canceled)