Georgia Tech inventors have created a thin-film waveguides detection system and method for detecting target compounds. This invention uses evanescent field absorption to directly detect target compounds (e.g. disposed on the surface of the waveguide) and indirectly through the target compounds interaction with surface modifications (e.g. surface recognition chemistries and biology’s). At the surface of the solid state, thin film waveguide, and/or indirectly through the target compounds interaction with recognition elements not immobilized at the surface of the waveguide (e.g., recognition chemistries, biology’s, and the like) but within the penetration depth of the evanescent field protruding from the surface of the solid state, thin film waveguide. Therefore, label free detection of target compounds can be performed using embodiments of the present disclosure and enable label free detection of target compounds in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum.