Fluorescence monitoring of microchip capillary electrophoresis separation with monolithically integrated waveguides

• Published in: Optics letters 2008-11, Vol.33 (21), p.2503-2505
• Main Authors: DONGRE, Chaitanya, DEKKER, Ronald, VAN DEN VLEKKERT, Hans H, HOEKSTRA, Hugo J. W. M, POLLNAU, Markus, MARTINEZ-VAZQUEZ, Rebeca, OSELLAME, Roberto, CERULLO, Giulio, RAMPONI, Roberta, VAN WEEGHEL, Rob, BESSELINK, Geert A. J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical applications; Biological and medical sciences; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Cell Culture Techniques - instrumentation; Cell Separation - instrumentation; Electrophoresis, Microchip - instrumentation; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General equipment and techniques; Industrial applications; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microscopy, Fluorescence - instrumentation; Optical Devices; Optical elements, devices, and systems; Optical waveguides and coupleurs; Optics; Physics; Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.); remote sensing; Systems Integration; Various methods and equipments
• ISSN: 0146-9592; 1539-4794
• DOI: 10.1364/OL.33.002503

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.