Ferroelectric platforms based on photovoltaic LiNbO3:Fe are a powerful tool for trapping and patterning of micro- and nano-particles. By using this tool, metallic structures have been assembled from Ag and Au nanoparticles on the surface of the ferroelectric crystal. Their plasmonic response has been checked through the measurement of the reflectance extinction spectra. Then, the fluorescence enhancement of relevant biomaterials such as DNA and spermatozoa tagged with a variety of fluorophores such as DAPI, fluorescein, or rhodamine B has been investigated. Relevant plasmonic enhancement extended along the visible spectral range have been obtained, particularly with Ag nanoparticle structures. The results suggest the potential of the obtained metallic structures to improve bio-imaging procedures. Finally, we have found that the metal nanoparticle patterns are able to induce an organization of the sperm cells along the nanoparticle fringe structures.
Ferroelectric crystals generate electric fields under optical and thermal excitation. Recently, photo-induced electric fields generated in photovoltaic ferroelectric crystals have been applied to act on liquid droplets, either to manipulate droplets or to generate tiny droplets from a liquid reservoir. In this work, we investigate the migration of water and aqueous biodroplets under the light-induced electric fields generated in ferroelectric platforms based on iron doped lithium niobate. Different parameters affecting droplet manipulation have been analysed in detail. Light intensity, distance to the photovoltaic substrate and orientation of the polar axis of the active substrate play a key role. The behaviour and analysis of the droplet motion combined with numerical simulations allow to characterize the droplets and, in particular to distinguish between neutral and charged droplets. The results show the potential of this technique in biotechnology and biomedicine for applications such as bio-droplet analysis or sensing.
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