Design of an optofluidic diffusion sensor by transient grating using dielectrophoresis

An optofluidic diffusion sensor using laser-induced dielectrophoresis in a device with a sputtered a-Si:H layer is presented. Diffusion sensors enabling high-speed measurement have important potential uses as bio-sensors and for quantitative analysis of nano-sized products. The present sensor was developed for measurement in a few seconds by optic observations of the sample diffusion from transient grating formed by laser-induced dielectrophoresis. As a photoconductive layer for the proposed device, we used a sputtered a-Si:H film. The optical (refractive index and extinction coefficient), structural (Raman and IR spectroscopy), and optoelectronic properties of this film, as well as its applicability to the proposed device are characterized. Nano-sized beads were measured by the fabricated device, and its performance as a diffusion sensor was validated.