Fluorescence monitoring of microchip capillary electrophoresis separation with monolithically integrated waveguides

Opt Lett. 2008 Nov 1;33(21):2503-5. doi: 10.1364/ol.33.002503.

Abstract

Using femtosecond laser writing, optical waveguides were monolithically integrated into a commercial microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device, with the waveguides intersecting a microfluidic channel. Continuous-wave laser excitation through these optical waveguides confines the excitation window to a width of 12 microm, enabling high-resolution monitoring of the passage of different types of fluorescent analytes when migrating and being separated in the microfluidic channel by microchip capillary electrophoresis. Furthermore, we demonstrate on-chip-integrated waveguide excitation and detection of a biologically relevant species, fluorescently labeled DNA molecules, during microchip capillary electrophoresis. Well-controlled plug formation as required for on-chip integrated capillary electrophoresis separation of DNA molecules, and the combination of waveguide excitation and a low limit of detection, will enable monitoring of extremely small quantities with high spatial resolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation*
  • Electrophoresis, Microchip / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • Optical Devices*
  • Systems Integration