Long‐distance laser propulsion and deformation‐ monitoring of cells in optofluidic photonic crystal fiber

Abstract

We introduce a unique method for laser‐propelling individual cells over distances of 10s of cm through stationary liquid in a microfluidic channel. This is achieved by using liquid‐filled hollow‐core photonic crystal fiber (HC‐PCF). HC‐PCF provides low‐loss light guidance in a well‐defined single mode, resulting in highly uniform optical trapping and propulsive forces in the core which at the same time acts as a microfluidic channel. Cells are trapped laterally at the center of the core, typically several microns away from the glass interface, which eliminates adherence effects and external perturbations. During propagation, the velocity of the cells is conveniently monitored using a non‐imaging Doppler velocimetry technique. Dynamic changes in velocity at constant optical powers up to 350 mW indicate stress‐induced changes in the shape of the cells, which is confirmed by bright‐field microscopy. Our results suggest that HC‐PCF will be useful as a new tool for the study of single‐cell biomechanics. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Highly Sensitive Luminescence Detection of Photosensitized Singlet Oxygen within Photonic Crystal Fibers

“…There is also potential for detection of intracellular 1 O2 within the HC-PCF; the feasibility of introducing and trapping cells in the hollow core of HC-PCF has been demonstrated in one of our previous studies. [38] The present study has revealed that there are aspects of the HC-PCF technology that can be improved to achieve optimum performance in the present application. The simultaneous, efficient guidance of excitation light and luminescence is challenging, because of their disparate wavelengths.…”

Laser propulsion of nanobullets by adiabatic compression of surface plasmon polaritons

“…Another potential application of AC-induced pressure is the optical guidance and propulsion of nanobullets inserted in hollow-core photonics crystal fibers (HC-PCF) 37 to smart drug delivery [see Fig. 4 , panel (b)].…”

Laser Propulsion of Particles and Cells in Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber

“…We have recently used our technique to laser-propel individual red blood cells over distances of 10s of cm through stationary liquid in a microfluidic channel [10] (see Fig. 2).…”