On-chip manipulation of single microparticles, cells, and organisms using surface acoustic waves.

Techniques that can dexterously manipulate single particles, cells, and organisms are invaluable for many applications in biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. Here, we demonstrate standing surface acoustic wave based "acoustic tweezers" that can trap and manipulate single microparticles, cells, and entire organisms (i.e., Caenorhabditis elegans) in a single-layer microfluidic chip. Our acoustic tweezers utilize the wide resonance band of chirped interdigital transducers to achieve real-time control of a standing surface acoustic wave field, which enables flexible manipulation of most known microparticles. The power density required by our acoustic device is significantly lower than its optical counterparts (10,000,000 times less than optical tweezers and 100 times less than optoelectronic tweezers), which renders the technique more biocompatible and amenable to miniaturization. Cell-viability tests were conducted to verify the tweezers' compatibility with biological objects. With its advantages in biocompatibility, miniaturization, and versatility, the acoustic tweezers presented here will become a powerful tool for many disciplines of science and engineering.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Study on Graphene-Coated Metallic Nanostructure Substrates.

Graphene, which has a linear electronic band structure, is widely considered as a semimetal. In the present study, we combine graphene with conventional metallic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates to achieve higher sensitivity of SERS detection. We synthesize high-quality, single-layer graphene sheets by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and transfer them from copper foils to gold nanostructures, i.e., nanoparticle or nanohole arrays. SERS measurements are carried out on methylene blue (MB) molecules. The combined graphene nanostructure substrates show about threefold or ninefold enhancement in the Raman signal of MB, compared with the bare nanohole or nanoparticle substrates, respectively. The difference in the enhancement factors is explained by the different morphologies of graphene on the two substrates with the aid of numerical simulations. Our study indicates that applying graphene to SERS substrates can be an effective way to improve the sensitivity of conventional metallic SERS substrates.

Shifts in plasmon resonance due to charging of a nanodisk array in argon plasma.

A method for generating charge-induced plasmonic shifts, using argon plasma to charge nanoparticle arrays, is presented. Particles develop a negative charge, due to enhanced collisions with high-temperature electrons, in low-temperature plasmas. The negative charge generated causes a blue shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance. The dynamics of the shift were recorded and discussed. This effect could be used as a real-time method for studying the dynamics for charging in plasma.

Standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) based multichannel cell sorting.

We introduce a novel microfluidic device for cell sorting in continuous flow using tunable standing surface acoustic waves. This method allows individual cells to be precisely directed into five different outlet channels in a single step. It is versatile, simple, label-free, non-invasive, and highly controllable.

All-Optical Modulation of Localized Surface Plasmon Coupling in a Hybrid System Composed of Photo-Switchable Gratings and Au Nanodisk Arrays.

We conduct a real-time study of all-optical modulation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) coupling in a hybrid system that integrates a photo-switchable optical grating with a gold nanodisk array. This hybrid system enables us to investigate two important interactions: 1) LSPR-enhanced grating diffraction, and 2) diffraction-mediated LSPR in the Au nanodisk array. The physical mechanism underlying these interactions was analyzed and experimentally confirmed. With its advantages in cost-effective fabrication, easy integration, and all-optical control, the hybrid system described in this work could be valuable in many nanophotonic applications.

Three-dimensional continuous particle focusing in a microfluidic channel via standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW).

Three-dimensional (3D) continuous microparticle focusing has been achieved in a single-layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel using a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW). The SSAW was generated by the interference of two identical surface acoustic waves (SAWs) created by two parallel interdigital transducers (IDTs) on a piezoelectric substrate with a microchannel precisely bonded between them. To understand the working principle of the SSAW-based 3D focusing and investigate the position of the focal point, we computed longitudinal waves, generated by the SAWs and radiated into the fluid media from opposite sides of the microchannel, and the resultant pressure and velocity fields due to the interference and reflection of the longitudinal waves. Simulation results predict the existence of a focusing point which is in good agreement with our experimental observations. Compared with other 3D focusing techniques, this method is non-invasive, robust, energy-efficient, easy to implement, and applicable to nearly all types of microparticles.

A single-layer, planar, optofluidic Mach-Zehnder interferometer for label-free detection.

We have developed a planar, optofluidic Mach-Zehnder interferometer for the label-free detection of liquid samples. In contrast to most on-chip interferometers which require complex fabrication, our design was realized via a simple, single-layer soft lithography fabrication process. In addition, a single-wavelength laser source and a silicon photodetector were the only optical equipment used for data collection. The device was calibrated using published data for the refractive index of calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) in solution, and the biosensing capabilities of the device were tested by detecting bovine serum albumin (BSA). Our design enables a refractometer with a low limit of detection (1.24 × 10(-4) refractive index units (RIU)), low variability (1 × 10(-4) RIU), and high sensitivity (927.88 oscillations per RIU). This performance is comparable to state-of-the-art optofluidic refractometers that involve complex fabrication processes and/or expensive, bulky optics. The advantages of our device (i.e. simple fabrication process, straightforward optical equipment, low cost, and high detection sensitivity) make it a promising candidate for future mass-producible, inexpensive, highly sensitive, label-free optical detection systems.

Metallic membranes with subwavelength complementary patterns: distinct substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

We present a detailed comparison of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals from metallic nanoparticle arrays and their complementary hole arrays. Using an analytical model for local field enhancement, we show that the SERS enhancements of the hole arrays are closely related to their transmission spectra. This trend is experimentally confirmed and characterized by a cos(4 )θ dependence of the SERS signal on the excitation polarization angle θ. The particle arrays, on the other hand, exhibit quite different behavior because of the existence of considerable evanescent modes in the near field. Their maximal local field gains appear at wavelengths generally much larger than their localized surface plasmonic resonant wavelengths.