Open AccessMonolithic integration of microfluidic channels and semiconductor lasers
Author(s) -
Simon J. Cran-McGreehin,
Kishan Dholakia,
Thomas F. Krauss
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.007723
Subject(s) - laser , microfluidics , interfacing , materials science , optoelectronics , semiconductor laser theory , semiconductor , planar , optical power , optics , optical tweezers , fabrication , optofluidics , nanotechnology , computer science , physics , computer hardware , medicine , computer graphics (images) , alternative medicine , pathology
We present a fabrication method for the monolithic integration of microfluidic channels into semiconductor laser material. Lasers are designed to couple directly into the microfluidic channel, allowing submerged particles pass through the output beams of the lasers. The interaction between particles in the channel and the lasers, operated in either forward or reverse bias, allows for particle detection, and the optical forces can be used to trap and move particles. Both interrogation and manipulation are made more amenable for lab-on-a-chip applications through monolithic integration. The devices are very small, they require no external optical components, have perfect intrinsic alignment, and can be created with virtually any planar configuration of lasers in order to perform a variety of tasks. Their operation requires no optical expertise and only low electrical power, thus making them suitable for computer interfacing and automation. Insulating the pn junctions from the fluid is the key challenge, which is overcome by using photo-definable SU8-2000 polymer.