Planar Integrated Free-Space Optical Fluorescence Detector for Micro Fluidic Applications

Fluorescence detectors are applied for various applications in biophysical research topics e.g. for ph-sensoring or single-cell detection. Commonly the macroscopic optical systems are used for such applications. Planar integrated free space optical systems (PIFSO) offer the advantages of compact efficiently integrated systems and good accuracy in the terms of alignment. Due to the lab-on-a-chip character many fluidic systems such as of segmented flow systems we demonstrate the potential of the integration of the segmented flow system and the PIFSO concept. The goal is an integrated PIFSO system that can be manufactured by ultra precision micro milling machine in the thermoplastic materials such as PMMA. We demonstrate the optical simulation background for fluorescence detection with the software package ASAP™ and verify the simulation results by comparison with experimental results from a macroscopic experimental set-up. The optical performance of a planar optically integrated excitation and fluorescence branch is discussed. We present numerical parameter studies, concepts for the integration of GaN optical sensor as well as first experimental results.