Flexible optofluidic waveguide platform with multi-dimensional reconfigurability.
Dynamic reconfiguration of photonic function is one of the hallmarks of optofluidics. A number of approaches have been taken to implement optical tunability in microfluidic devices. However, a device architecture that allows for simultaneous high-performance microfluidic fluid handling as well as dynamic optical tuning has not been demonstrated. Here, we introduce such a platform based on a combination of solid- and liquid-core polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) waveguides that also provides fully functioning microvalve-based sample handling. A combination of these waveguides forms a liquid-core multimode interference waveguide that allows for multi-modal tuning of waveguide properties through core liquids and pressure/deformation. We also introduce a novel lifting-gate lightvalve that simultaneously acts as a fluidic microvalve and optical waveguide, enabling mechanically reconfigurable light and fluid paths and seamless incorporation of controlled particle analysis. These new functionalities are demonstrated by an optical switch with >45 dB extinction ratio and an actuatable particle trap for analysis of biological micro- and nanoparticles.
School of Engineering, University of CA Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA.
Joshua W
JW
Parks
School of Engineering, University of CA Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA.
Holger
H
Schmidt
D004867:Equipment Design; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055096:Optical Devices; D017785:Photons