Computational Schlieren Photography with Light Field Probes

We introduce a new approach to capturing refraction in transparent media, which we call light field background oriented Schlieren photography. By optically coding the locations and directions of light rays emerging from a light field probe, we can capture changes of the refractive index field between the probe and a camera or an observer. Our prototype capture setup consists of inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware, including inkjet-printed transparencies, lenslet arrays, and a conventional camera. By carefully encoding the color and intensity variations of 4D light field probes, we show how to code both spatial and angular information of refractive phenomena. Such coding schemes are demonstrated to allow for a new, single image approach to reconstructing transparent surfaces, such as thin solids or surfaces of fluids. The captured visual information is used to reconstruct refractive surface normals and a sparse set of control points independently from a single photograph.     

A single channel capillary microviscometer

We have developed a microviscometer analyzing the fluid dynamics in a single channel glass microfluidic chip with a closed end. The device is able to test sample volumes of a few microliters by inserting one drop in the inlet. The fluid enters the channel driven by capillary pressure and an optical sensor registers the motion. The equation that describes the fluid dynamics is function of the channel geometry, atmospheric pressure, fluid viscosity, and capillary pressure. Knowing the first two, the last parameters can be obtained as fitting parameters from the meniscus position as a function of time plot. We have successfully tested Newtonian fluids with different viscosities and capillary pressure.     

Liquid�Cliquid fluorescent waveguides using microfluidic-drifting-induced hydrodynamic focusing

We demonstrate fluorescent liquid-core/liquid-cladding (L ²) waveguides focused in three-dimensional (3-D) space based on a 3-D hydrodynamic focusing technique. In the proposed system, the core and vertical cladding streams are passed through a curved 90° corner in a microfluidic channel, leading to the formation of a pair of counter rotating vortices known as the Dean vortex. As a result, the core fluid is completely confined within the cladding fluid and does not touch the top and bottom poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces of the microfluidic channel. Because the core stream was not in contact with the PDMS channel, whose refractive index contrast and optical smoothness with the core fluid are lower than that between the core and the cladding fluids, the 3-D focused L ² waveguide exhibited a higher captured fraction (η) and lower propagation loss when compared to conventional two-dimensional (2-D) focused L ² waveguides. Because the proposed 3-D focused L ² waveguides can be generated in planar PDMS microfluidic devices, such optofluidic waveguides can be integrated with precise alignment together with other in-plane microfluidic and optical components to achieve micro-total analysis systems (μ-TAS).     

Three-dimensional hydrodynamic flow and particle focusing using four vortices Dean flow

We present a three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing device built on a single-layer platform using single sheath flow. Despite the simple structure and operation, the device not only achieves narrow focusing of a sample fluid or particles but also switches the cross-sectional size and lateral position of the sample stream. The focusing mechanism utilizes four Dean vortices generated in a high-speed flow through a curved channel. Theoretical calculations, numerical simulations, and an experimental study demonstrated that the device could focus microparticles that resemble human platelets in terms of particle size and density in a single-stream manner. Further simulation study suggested that the device could focus most cell sizes used in flow cytometry with a throughput of 200,000 cells s^?1. In addition, the device can function as a 3D liquid-core/liquid-cladding (L2) optical waveguide by introducing a core liquid with a refractive index higher than that of the cladding.     

Optofluidic sensor system with Ge PIN photodetector for CMOS-compatible sensing

Vertical optofluidic biosensors based on refractive index sensing promise highest sensitivities at smallest area footprint. Nevertheless, when it comes to large-scale fabrication and application of such sensors, cheap and robust platforms for sample preparation and supply are needed—not to mention the expected ease of use in application. We present an optofluidic sensor system using a cyclic olefin copolymer microfluidic chip as carrier and feeding supply for a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatibly fabricated Ge PIN photodetector. Whereas typically only passive components of a sensor are located within the microfluidic channel, here the active device is directly exposed to the fluid, enabling top-illumination. The capability for detecting different refractive indices was verified by different fluids with subsequent recording of the optical responsivity. All components excel in their capability to be transferred to large-scale fabrication and further integration of microfluidic and sensing systems. The photodetector itself is intended to serve as a platform for further sophisticated collinear sensing approaches.     

Determining refractive index of single living cell using an integrated microchip

We report a novel method for measuring the effective refractive index (RI) of single living cell using a small integrated chip, which might be an efficient approach for diseases diagnosis. This microchip is able to determine the refractive index of single living cell in real time without any extra cell treatments such as fluorescence labelling, chemical modification and so forth, meanwhile, providing low cost, small size, easy operation and high accuracy. The measurement system integrates an external cavity laser, a microlens, and some microfluidic channels onto a monolithic chip. In the experiments, two standard polystyrene beads with nominal RI are utilized to calibrate the measurement system and five different types of cancerous cells are subsequently measured in the chip. The experimental results show that the refractive indices of the cancerous cells tested ranges from 1.392 to 1.401, which is larger than typical value of normal cell of 1.35–1.37. This integrated chip potentially has a serial of applications on biodefense, disease diagnosis, biomedical and biochemical analysis.     

Numerical analysis of non Newtonian fluid flow in a low voltage cascade electroosmotic micropump

In microfluidic devices, many fluids have non-Newtonian behaviors, especially biofluids. The viscosity of these fluids mostly depends on the shear rate. Sometimes the non-Newtonian fluids should be transferred by micropumps in lab-on-chip devices. Previous researchers investigated the flow rate in simple electroosmotic flow micropumps which have a simple channel geometry. In the present study, the effects of non-Newtonian properties of fluid in a low voltage cascade electroosmotic micropump are numerically investigated using the power law model. The micropump is modeled in two dimensional with one symmetric step and has a more complex geometry than previous studies. The numerical results show that, the non-Newtonian behavior of fluid affects flow rate in the micropump. The flow rate decreases if the fluid is dilatant. Also, it increases if the fluid is pseudoplastic. Moreover, the pressure which is needed to stop the electroosmotic flow rate in the micropump is calculated. Results show that, the back pressure has a slight change as the fluid has non-Newtonian behavior.     

Micro-optofluidic switch realized by 3D printing technology

This paper presents a PDMS micro-optofluidic chip that allows a laser beam to be driven directly toward a two-phase flow stream in a micro-channel while at the same time automatically, detecting the slug’s passage and stirring the laser light, without the use of any external optical devices. When the laser beam interacts with the microfluidic flow, depending on the fluid in the channel and the laser angle of incidence, a different signal level is detected. So a continuous air–water segmented flow will generate a signal that switches between two values. The device consists of a T-junction, which generates the two-phase flow, and three optical fiber insertions, which drive the input laser beam toward a selected area of the micro-channel and detects the flow stream. Three micro-channel sections of different widths were considered: 130, 250, 420 μm and the performance of the models was obtained by comparing ray-tracing simulations. The master of the device has been realized by 3D printing technology and a protocol which realizes the PDMS chip is presented. The static and dynamic characterizations, considering both single flows and two-phase flows, were carried out, and in spite of the device’s design simplicity, the sensitivity of the system to capture changes in the segmented flows and to stir the laser light in different directions was fully confirmed. The experimental tests show the possibility of obtaining satisfactory results with channel diameters in the order of 200 μm.     

Si基微环谐振腔化学传感检测方法研究

提出了一种非标记光化学传感检测方法：光波导谐振谱检测,通过感应环形波导表面有效折射率变化进行化学传感;理论分析,并结合光学测试系统,利用此方法实现了微环谐振腔结构对NaCl离子、结晶紫分子溶液的在线浓度测量,实验得到：其检测灵敏度分别达181.47 pm/10－2,227 nm/（ mol·L－1）,证明了该方法可以应用于化学溶液检测领域。     

Performance of integrated optical microcavities for refractive index and fluorescence sensing

The performance of a novel sensor based on an integrated optical (IO) disk microcavity (MC) is theoretically studied. The MC is a resonant waveguide structure in which multiple interference of a guided mode occurs. At resonance, the MC is extremely sensitive to refractive index changes and it sustains locally enhanced optical field. Therefore, the MC is naturally suitable as an extremely responsive sensor for measuring minute changes in refractive index and/or fluorescence of an analyte. Combination of multiple interference and extremely small sampling volume (few femtoliters) provides unique sensitivity of the MC device. A factor of 9 increase in fluorescence sensitivity versus waveguide sensor is anticipated. Provided shot-noise limited detection, the refractive index resolution down to 10⁻⁹ is feasible with the MC sensor, which exceeds that of the straight waveguide interferometer by the order of magnitude. MC-sensors can be combined into arrays providing high throughput detection of both labeled and non-fluorescent biological species.     

Scale-up and control of droplet production in coupled microfluidic flow-focusing geometries

A single microfluidic chip consisting of six microfluidic flow-focusing devices operating in parallel was developed to investigate the feasibility of scaling microfluidic droplet generation up to production rates of hundreds of milliliters per hour. The design utilizes a single inlet channel for both the dispersed aqueous phase and the continuous oil phase from which the fluids were distributed to all six flow-focusing devices. The exit tubing for each of the six flow-focusing devices is separate and individually plumbed to each device. Within each flow-focusing device, the droplet size was monodisperse, but some droplet size variations were observed across devices. We show that by modifying the flow resistance in the outlet channel of an individual flow-focusing device it is possible to control both the droplet size and frequency of droplet production. This can be achieved through the use of valves or, as is done in this study, by changing the length of the exit tubing plumbed to the outlet of the each device. Longer exit tubing and larger flow resistance is found to lead to larger droplets and higher production frequencies. The devices can thus be individually tuned to create a monodisperse emulsion or an emulsion with a specific drop size distribution.     

Research progresses of SOI optical waveguide devices and integrated optical switch matrix

1Introduction Dense wavelength division multiplexing(DWDM)is the most powerful method to upgrade the transmission capacity of the optical fiber transmission system.In DWDM system,the enormous available bandwidth is utilized by multiplexing laser beams with different wavelength in one single fiber.With DWDM technology,parallel transmission of data streams with different format leads to high speed information communication,thereby reduces the requirement for the high speed electronic device…     

发光及显示器件光电特性测试系统设计

为了提高发光及显示器件光电特性测量实验的智能化程度,减小人为误差,并考虑工作温度对其光电特性的影响,设计了一种能够自动、同步测量发光体亮度、温度、伏安特性和寿命的系统。系统主要由LS-110型亮度计、GPD-3303型电源、自制的温度测量模块及测量软件四部分组成。基于实验室虚拟仪器工程平台,利用亮度计对器件的亮度进行测量,利用单片机和温度传感器对器件的温度进行测量,通过上位机程序控制电源步进输出、读取实际输出电流值和电压值,并将采集到的数据发送到上位机,实时绘制出了亮度-电压、电流-电压、温度-电压、亮度-温度、电流-温度、亮度-电流特性曲线。系统目前可以同时对器件的亮度、温度和伏安特性进行自动测量和直观显示,并且具备自动保存数据和图像的功能,实现了发光及显示器件光电特性测量的智能化,具有综合性强、精确度及自动化程度高、操作简易等特点。     

基于波矢可调谐对称结构的条波导型SPR传感系统研究

针对目前波导型SPR传感器波矢匹配条件受限及较难与光纤实现固化对接进而实现在线传感的缺点,研究由条波导激励对称结构的SPR传感系统。通过对由金属——介质——金属构成的对称结构进行模式分析,研究可在该结构内激发SPW的可能性及其波矢可调谐机制。实验制备单模条波导并激励对称传感结构,对比了条波导激励传统结构与对称结构的检测折射率范围,研究了对称结构中金属材质,金属膜厚及介质厚度对测量结果的影响,给出了折射率测量的结果,实验证明,采用对称结构实现传感,可通过镀金属膜的厚度来改善传感特性,调节两金属膜之间介质的厚度可以实现波矢匹配的调节,进而使得被测范围具有一定的可调性,具有较好的线性。     

SPR传感芯片的理论与实验研究

针对光纤SPR(表面等离子体共振)传感器制作工艺复杂的问题,提出了一种光纤先固定后部分镀膜的SPR传感芯片的制作方法.依据电磁场和射线理论,分析并讨论了此种波长调制部分镀膜SPR传感芯片的工作原理,采用MEMS制作工艺对探测光纤进行封装固定以后,再对光纤进行部分镀膜,其结构简单,工艺性好,易于实现批量化.最后,搭建了一套基、于波长检测的光纤SPR测试系统对其进行测试.实验结果表明:在折射率范围为1.33～1.36时,共振波长同折射率具有良好的线性关系,光谱仪分辨率为0.1 m时,其分辨率可达到3×10-5折射率单位.     

Interactive Rendering of Non‐Constant,Refractive Media Using the Ray Equations of Gradient‐Index Optics

Existing algorithms can efficiently render refractive objects of constant refractive index. For a medium with a continuously varying index of refraction, most algorithms use the ray equation of geometric optics to compute piecewise‐linear approximations of the non‐linear rays. By assuming a constant refractive index within each tracing step, these methods often need a large number of small steps to generate satisfactory images. In this paper, we present a new approach for tracing non‐constant, refractive media based on the ray equations of gradient‐index optics. We show that in a medium of constant index gradient, the ray equation has a closed‐form solution, and the intersection point between a ray and the medium boundaries can be efficiently computed using the bisection method. For general non‐constant media, we model the refractive index as a piecewise‐linear function and render the refraction by tracing the tetrahedron‐based representation of the media. Our algorithm can be easily combined with existing rendering algorithms such as photon mapping to generate complex refractive caustics at interactive frame rates. We also derive analytic ray formulations for tracing mirages – a special gradient‐index optical phenomenon.     

偏振控制光强调制型SPRi传感器的高灵敏检测研究

在偏振控制光强调制型SPRi传感器中,使用真实液体消光的方法实验调节困难,测量灵敏度低,线性度差.为此,提出无需真实液体消光,并将消光折射率左移的方法.首先,对在测量起点(即纯水)消光的传统方法进行光学参数的最优值仿真及其加工和调节误差仿真,结果表明,误差会引起SPRi曲线最低点在折射率轴上的左右偏移,从而影响传感器性能.接着,将消光折射率左移至1.325处,并仿真其光学参数的最优值.实验表明,与前者相比,1.325消光方法中存在的误差不会使测量曲线出现非单调的情况,此时的测量灵敏度高,线性度好,折射率分辨率达到1.85×10-6 RIU,对应NaCl溶液的检出限为35 mg/L.上述方法提高了误差存在时SPRi传感器的适用性,可以实现微量水溶液样品的高灵敏及高通量检测.     

基于单片机控制的语音采集与回放系统设计研究

介绍了一种采用不同编码方式的语音信号采集与回放系统的设计方案,该系统以AT89C51单片机为控制核心,主要结构由语音前级处理通道、A/D转换模块、单片机控制兼数据处理模块、D/A转换模块、键盘模块和后级处理通道组成,实现了语音的采集与回放功能。系统采用32kB的62256芯片作为语音存储介质,在PCM、DPCM、IV三种编码模式下都能较好地实现语音回放功能。整个系统结构简练、友好,具备较高的性能指标,设计的整体实现具有一定的实用参考价值。     

Microcapillary electrophoresis chip with a bypass channel for autonomous compensation of hydrostatic pressure flow

The application of chip-based microcapillary electrophoresis (µCE) to determine the electrophoretic mobility of molecules and particles has been intensively studied in the last two decades. Balancing the hydrostatic pressure between both ends of the microchannel is essential for free-zone electrophoresis and highly accurate measurement. This balancing operation appears simple on a macroscale (e.g., >?10^?3 m); however, on a microscale (e.g., 10^?6–10^?3 m), it is not straightforward because of the complexity of the interface dynamics at the meniscus. The hydrostatic pressure flow is unstable because of the small size of the microchannel, which is smaller than a single droplet of water. In this study, a µCE chip design was proposed by adding an extra bypass channel to balance the fluid level of the two open reservoirs and inhibit the generation of hydrostatic pressure flow within the microchannel. The fluid behaviors in the microchannel and current and voltage (I–V) characterization were experimentally studied. In addition, a numerical simulation of the electroosmotic flow and hydrostatic flow in the µCE chip was performed. The comparison between the µCE chip with and without the bypass channel showed that the bypass channel did not produce a disturbance in the microchannel for the electrophoretic measurement. The simple microchannel design enabled autonomous compensation of the hydrostatic pressure from the instability of the meniscus, and thus improved the usability of the chip-based µCE chip and the accuracy in the electrophoretic measurement.     

高灵敏复合光波导传感器及其研究进展

高灵敏复合光波导是在K 交换玻璃光波导上面涂(溅射法或旋转涂膜法)两端带斜坡的高折射率薄膜而研制出的一种元件.该元件表面灵敏度比K 交换玻璃光波导或分光光度法的灵敏度高出了2～3个数量级.利用复合光波导研制的氨气传感器和免疫传感器的灵敏度达到了世界领先水平.光波导传感器具有体积小,响应快,灵敏度高等特点.该文较全面介绍了利用高折射率薄膜设计和研制高灵敏复合光波导及其在化学生物传感器中的应用,并对未来光波导传感器的研究作了展望.