Optofluidic particle concentration by a long-range dual-beam trap

Opt Lett. 2009 Aug 1;34(15):2306-8. doi: 10.1364/ol.34.002306.

Abstract

Ultrahigh sensitivity detection of particles in solution implies the ability to detect at very low concentrations. At the single-particle level, this is achieved through fluorescence detection, reaching down to single fluorophores. Sensitivity may also be improved by concentrating many particles into a compact cluster, thus "integrating" the signal of many particles. We show how both ways can be combined on an optofluidic chip in a fully planar geometry utilizing counterpropagating liquid-core waveguide modes to form a loss-based optical trap. This all-optical concentrator can increase the concentration of particles by more than 2 orders of magnitude and also provides a convenient, nondispersive means of transport for particle ensembles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Colloids / chemistry*
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation
  • Optical Tweezers*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Colloids