Compact integration of GaN-based photonic chip with microfluidics system

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Microfluidics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Photonic integration is crucial for developing compact, portable sensing systems.
• Microfluidic devices require efficient methods for optical signal coupling and detection.
• Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based materials offer unique optoelectronic properties for integrated devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the integration of a GaN-based photonic chip with a PDMS microfluidics system.
• To develop a self-contained on-chip sensing system for real-time microfluidic analysis.
• To enable optical signal coupling into and out of microfluidic channels without external optics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an InGaN/GaN quantum well photonic chip using standard microfabrication techniques.
• Integration of the photonic chip with a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics system.
• Characterization of luminescence and photodetection properties in reflection mode.

Main Results:

• The integrated system successfully tracked continuously flowing microdroplets.
• Real-time monitoring of microdroplet changes in absorbance, length, and flow rate was achieved.
• Optical signals were effectively coupled into and out of the fluidic channel without external optics.

Conclusions:

• This novel photonic integration represents a significant advancement for on-chip sensing.
• The developed system is valuable for portable lab-on-a-chip applications.
• The GaN-based photonic chip demonstrates robust performance for microfluidic monitoring.