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Reproducible fiber optofluidic laser for disposable and array applications
Chaoyang Gong1, Yuan Gong, Qiushu Chen
1Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China. ygong@uestc.edu.cn.
Lab on a Chip
|September 7, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost, reproducible fiber optofluidic laser (FOFL) for disposable biomedical detection. This innovation enables sensitive bioassays using microstructured optical fibers as both resonators and microfluidic channels.
Area of Science:
- Optofluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Disposable sensors are crucial for safe, cost-effective biomedical detection.
- Optofluidic lasers offer sensitive bioassay capabilities but face fabrication challenges for disposable applications.
- Microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) present a potential solution for integrated optofluidic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a low-cost and reproducible fiber optofluidic laser (FOFL) suitable for disposable bioassay applications.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using MOFs as both optical resonators and microfluidic channels.
- To characterize the lasing performance and reproducibility of the fabricated FOFLs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a fiber optofluidic laser (FOFL) using a microstructured optical fiber (MOF).
- Utilizing the MOF's whispering gallery modes for lasing and its internal channel for capillary-driven fluid sampling.
- Precisely controlling MOF geometry during fiber drawing to ensure reproducibility.
- Characterizing laser intensity, threshold, and angular emission dependence.
Main Results:
- Achieved a low-cost, reproducible FOFL with good laser intensity reproducibility (δ = 6.5%) across 10 MOF sections.
- Demonstrated a low lasing threshold of 3.2 μJ mm⁻² due to strong coupling between the resonator and gain medium.
- Observed and simulated the angular dependence of laser emission.
- Successfully demonstrated an array of FOFL devices.
Conclusions:
- The developed FOFL technology offers a promising platform for low-cost, disposable bioassay applications.
- The use of MOFs provides an effective and reproducible method for integrating microfluidics and laser functionalities.
- This technology has significant potential to advance sensitive and accessible biomedical detection methods.
