Optofluidic microstructured fibers: a platform to detect freely diffusing nano-objects

M. A. Schmidt

doi:10.1117/12.2540966

28 August 2019 Optofluidic microstructured fibers: a platform to detect freely diffusing nano-objects

M. A. Schmidt

Proceedings Volume 11199, Seventh European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors; 1119935 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2540966
Event: Seventh European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors, 2019, Limassol, Cyprus

Abstract

One gateway to understanding physical, chemical, and biological processes at the nanoscale level is high-speed tracking of single nano-objects. Here I will present our recent results on tracking individual nano-objects inside optofluidic microstructured fibers via elastic light scattering. Conceptually, the nano-objects (e.g., gold nano-spheres, polymer beads, sub-20nm viruses) are located within a liquid environment inside a well-selected channel of respective microstructured fiber. Light elastically scattered by the freely diffusing nano-objects is transversely detected by a microscopic setup continuously imaging the liquid-filled channel from the side at very high frame rates. Here I will discuss (i) tracking of unlabeled virions at rates of over 2 kHz for durations of tens of seconds in nanobore optical fibers, (ii) retrieving full 3D information about the nano-object’s trajectory using modified step index fibers, and (iii) simultaneous detection and identification of hundreds of nano-objects in anti-resonant hollow core fibers. Any of the mentioned approaches addresses light scattering intensities and diffusion constants, allowing us to determine key properties of the nano-objects such as size or hydrodynamic radius. Together with the compatibility with fiber circuitry and microfluidics, the presented approach defines a new platform for fiber sensors and nano-scale physics with applications in a multitude of fields such as bioanalytics and soft matter material science.

Citation Download Citation

M. A. Schmidt "Optofluidic microstructured fibers: a platform to detect freely diffusing nano-objects", Proc. SPIE 11199, Seventh European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors, 1119935 (28 August 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2540966

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