Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization

Optofluidics refers to the complementary hybridization of photonics and fluidics. Optofluidic characterizatiOTi is the analysis of a fluidic system by photonics, and vice versa. In particular, nanoscale optofluidic characterization is related to photonic phenomena based on the nanostructures. The photonic band-gap properties, surface plasmon resonance, or surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensitively change with the refractive index of the surrounding fluid or the specific binding of chemicals and biomolecules on the nanostructures. 

Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization Techniques, Fig. 1 Multidimensional photonic crystal structures with dielectric constants that vary along the x-, y-, and z-axes. (a) ID, (b) 2D, and (c) 3D photonic crystal structures... 

Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization Techniques, Fig. 3 Experimental data for a glass surface with (a) deionized ultrafiltered water and (b) a lOM aqueous NaCl solution... 

Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization Techniques, Fig. 4 Nanoscale characterization in a 2D photonic crystal cavity, (a) Resonance mode of a 2D photonic crystal... 

Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization Techniques, Fig. 5 Scheme of in situ optofluidic SPR and SERS devices, (a) Conceptual diagram of a 2D nanohole-array-... 

Especially for nanoscale optofluidic characterizations, the physical, chemical, biological, and electromagnetic functionalities of structures and surfaces are very important, as the optical phenomena are deeply related to these aspects in nanophotonics and fluidics. 

The objective of nanoscale optofluidic characterization is to combine different nanophotonics technologies with microfluidic devices, and thereby explore and develop photonic analysis techniques based on the microscopic flows of liquids and on nanophotonic properties. The optofluidic characterization techniques will be powerful new tools for a wide range of applications in optical information processing and the miniaturization of chemical and biological processes for synthesis, analysis, and recognition [1]. 

Nanoscale Optofluidic Characterization Techniques, Figure 2 Colloidal crystals in centrifugal microfluidic chips, (a) Optical micrograph of colloidal photonic crystal patterns, (b) Scanning electron micrograph of crystallized colloidal crystals whose lattice constant is 260 nm... 

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