Dynamic manipulation of modes in an optical waveguide using dielectrophoresis

Abstract

The emergence of optofluidics has brought a high degree of tuneability and reconfigurability to optical devices. These possibilities are provided by characteristics of fluids including mobility, wide range of index modulation, and abrupt interfaces that can be easily reshaped. In this work, we created a new class of optofluidic waveguides, in which suspended mesoparticles were employed to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system. We demonstrated tuneable quasi single mode waveguides using spatially controllable mesoparticles in optofluidics. The coupling of waveguiding modes into the assembly of mesoparticles produces strong interactions and resonant conditions, which promote the transitions of the waveguiding modes. The modal response of the system depends on the distribution of packed particles above the polymeric rib waveguide which can be readily controlled under the appropriate combination of dielectrophoresis and hydrodynamic forces.

Dielectrophoresis of Amyloid-Beta Proteins as a Microfluidic Template for Alzheimer’s Research

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Dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic platforms for cancer diagnostics

“…85 Microelectrodes in eDEP designs are commonly fabricated using metals such as gold 86 and indium tin oxide (ITO) 87 with an adhesion layer of titanium 88 or chrome. 89 Metal electrodes have disadvantages of fouling and electrolysis at high frequencies, 90 resulting in gas generation or dissolution of the electrodes which will damage the biological sample. The use of ITO is advantageous due to its low capacitive current and its fabrication practicability as it allows for easy micropatterning.…”

Active bioparticle manipulation in microfluidic systems

“…9,[222][223][224] We previously demonstrated the complex design and integration of optical laser sources into a DEP enabled micro/opto fluidic system where changes in synthetic particle configurations affected the modal propagations of light in an adjacent waveguide, enabling tuneability and reconfigurability of optical devices. [225][226][227][228][229] Optical means have been used to identify bioparticles by means of optical interactions analysis, 225 scattering 226 and Raman spectroscopy measurements, [230][231][232] as previously described in this review.…”