Developing optofluidic technology through the fusion of microfluidics and optics

Nature. 2006 Jul 27;442(7101):381-6. doi: 10.1038/nature05060.

Abstract

We describe devices in which optics and fluidics are used synergistically to synthesize novel functionalities. Fluidic replacement or modification leads to reconfigurable optical systems, whereas the implementation of optics through the microfluidic toolkit gives highly compact and integrated devices. We categorize optofluidics according to three broad categories of interactions: fluid-solid interfaces, purely fluidic interfaces and colloidal suspensions. We describe examples of optofluidic devices in each category.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lasers
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Optics and Photonics / instrumentation*
  • Quantum Dots