Open AccessOn-chip modulation of evanescent illumination and live-cell imaging with polymer waveguides
Author(s) -
Björn Agnarsson,
Ásta Björk Jónsdóttir,
Nína Björk Arnfinnsdóttir,
Kristján Leósson
Publication year - 2011
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.19.022929
Subject(s) - optics , photobleaching , waveguide , materials science , interferometry , modulation (music) , total internal reflection , chip , optoelectronics , microscopy , excitation , live cell imaging , fluorescence , physics , chemistry , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , acoustics , engineering , biochemistry , cell
Imaging of live cells was carried out using evanescent-wave excitation on a polymer waveguide chip. Integrated waveguide-based interferometric light modulators were fabricated in order to demonstrate on-chip control of excitation light, e.g., for time-lapse fluorescence microscopy. When combined with a sensitive high-resolution imaging system, the integrated waveguide-excitation platform provides an ideal method of near-surface studies of live cells, where photobleaching and/or phototoxicity effects are of critical concern.