Functional Optical Components

In this section we describe in more detaii the three key opticai components for integrated fluorescence detection (1) iight sources, (2) detectors, and (3) opticai fliters. We aiso present proof-of-principie studies from our group describing the use of these components in chemicai and bioiogicai anaiysis. 

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Polymers have come a long way from parkesine, celluloid and bakelite they have become functional as well as structural materials. Indeed, they have become both at the same time one novel use for polymers depends upon precision micro-embossing of polymers, with precise pressure and temperature control, for replicating electronic chips containing microchannels for capillary electrophoresis and for microfluidics devices or micro-optical components. 

The need for improved sensor performance has led to the emergence of micro and nanofluidics. These fields seek to develop miniaturized analysis systems that combine the desired attributes in a compact and cost-effective setting. These platforms are commonly labeled as labs-on-chip or micro total analysis systems (pTAS)2, often using optical methods to realize a desired functionality. The preeminent role that optics play has recently led to the notion of optofluidics as an independent field that deals with devices and methods in which optics and fluidics enable each other3. Most of the initial lab-on-chip advances, however, occurred in the area of fluidics, while the optical components continued to consist largely of bulk components such as polarizers, filters, lenses, and objectives. 

Temperature Temperature changes can result in dimensional changes, which inevitably cause problems if not addressed, for optomechanical assemblies within an instrument. Temperature compensation is usually required, and careful attention to the expansion characteristics of the materials of construction used for critical components is essential. This includes screws and bonding materials. If correctly designed, the optical system should function at minimum over typical operating range of 0 to 40 °C. Rapid thermal transients can be more problematic, because they may result in thermal shock of critical optical components. Many electronic components can fail or become unreliable at elevated temperatures, including certain detectors, and so attention must be paid to the quality and specification of the components used. 

Multiplexed diode laser sensors have also been applied for measurements of gas temperature, velocity, and H2O partial pressures in hypervelocity air flows at the Calspan University of Buffalo Research Center s (CUBRC) Large Energy National Shock Tunnel (LENS Tunnel) in Buffalo, New York [12]. The sensors were developed to provide quantitative characterization of the facility operation and, in particular, the freestream flow properties as a function of time. The measurements were recorded using a hardened probe, which contained critical optical components and photodetectors, that was installed directly into the hypersonic shock-tunnel near the nozzle exit to minimize complications due to boundary layers and facility vibration. 

As depicted in Chap. 3, the ability to pattern functional polymers at different length scales is important for a range of applications and developments including the fabrication of micro plastic electronics, the production of optical components and bio-medicinal related research. EHD patterning can also be exploited for the fabrication of hierarchical functional patterns using electric field induced... 

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