Novel tuneable optical elements based on nanoparticle suspensions in microfluidics
Date
2010
Authors
Kayani, A.A.
Zhang, C.
Khoshmanesh, K.
Campbell, J.L.
Mitchell, A.
Kalantar zadeh, K.
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Volume Title
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Journal article
Citation
Electrophoresis, 2010; 31(6):1071-1079
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Abstract
This work demonstrates the application of dielectrophoretic (DEP) control of silicananoparticles to form tuneable optical elements within a microfluidic system. The implementation consisted of a microfluidic channel with an array of curved microelectrodes along its base. Various DEP conditions were investigated at alternating currentvoltage amplitudes, flow rates and frequencies from 5 to 15 V, 2 to 10 μL/min and 0 to 20 MHz, respectively. The fluid channel was filled with deionized water suspending silicaparticles with diameters of 230 and 450 nm. Experiments were conducted to demonstrate DEP concentration and deflection of the particles and the impact of these particles distributions on the optical transmission through the fluid channel. Both confinement and scattering of the light were observed depending on the particle dimensions and the parameters of the DEP excitation. The results of this investigation illustrate the feasibilityof DEP control in an optofluidic system and represent a significant step toward thedynamic formation of electrically controlled liquid optical waveguides.