Micro-opto-fluidic platform for solvents identification based on absorption properties in the NIR region

Spectral detection of light transmission through capillaries filled with a fluid sample is a powerful solution for evaluating its composition. In this work, we present an optical method to distinguish water and alcohol samples in a rectangular glass micro-capillary, coupled to an external fluidic path and laid flat onto an aluminum bulk mirror, from the spectral transmittance in the near-infra-red (NIR) wavelength range 1.15-1.65 μm, which becomes sample-specific thanks to the contribution given by the spectral absorption properties of the fluid. The readout beam of broadband radiation is shone on the upper flat side of the micro-capillary with an incidence angle of 14°, crosses the glass walls and the channel depth twice, since it is reflected by the mirror, and it is then coupled to the monochromator input of an optical spectrum analyzer. The theoretical transmission spectra of the capillary filled just with air as well as with distilled water, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, and 95% ethanol (with 5% water content) are derived using analytical equations including the wavelength-dependent attenuation due to fluid absorption. Experimental results relative to the wavelength dependence of the ratio between the spectral transmittance in the presence of the fluid sample and of just air are found to be in agreement with the calculated theoretical behavior. Grapical abstract.