title: Single-molecule detection sensitivity using planar integrated optics on a chip.
abstract: We present a fully planar integrated optical approach to single-molecule detection based on microfabricated planar networks of intersecting solid and liquid-core waveguides. We study fluorescence from dye molecules in liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides, and demonstrate subpicoliter excitation volumes, parallel excitation through multiple pump waveguides, and single-molecule detection sensitivity. Integrated silicon photonics combined with single-molecule detection in solution create a compact, robust, and sensitive platform that has applications in numerous fields ranging from atomic physics to the life sciences.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz 95064, USA.
authors.forename: Dongliang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Deamer
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000032:analysis*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D046208:Microchip Analytical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018511:Systems Integration
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers