title: A microfluidic flow-cell for the study of the ultrafast dynamics of biological systems.
abstract: The study of biochemical dynamics by ultrafast spectroscopic methods is often restricted by the limited amount of liquid sample available, while the high repetition rate of light sources can induce photodamage. In order to overcome these limitations, we designed a high flux, sub-ml, capillary flow-cell. While the 0.1 mm thin window of the 0.5 mm cross-section capillary ensures an optimal temporal resolution and a steady beam deviation, the cell-pump generates flows up to ∼0.35 ml/s that are suitable to pump laser repetition rates up to ∼14 kHz, assuming a focal spot-diameter of 100 μm. In addition, a decantation chamber efficiently removes bubbles and allows, via septum, for the addition of chemicals while preserving the closed atmosphere. The minimal useable amount of sample is ∼250 μl.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, ISIC, Faculté des Sciences de Base, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chauvet
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CEA, UMR 7265 Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tibiletti
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CEA, UMR 7265 Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caffarri
authors.affiliation: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, ISIC, Faculté des Sciences de Base, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Majed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chergui
mesh_terms: D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D046939:Synechocystis / Q000166:cytology*; D020524:Thylakoids / Q000378:metabolism