Semi-transparent 3D microelectrodes buried in fused silica for photonics applications.

We report the realization of semi-transparent 3D microelectrodes fully embedded in a fused silica substrate by a combination of femtosecond laser microfabrication and inkjet printing. We also demonstrate the application of such electrodes in a proof-of-concept lab-on-chip device configuration, which acts as a liquid crystal molecular polarization rotator using on-chip electric fields. This work constitutes a first of its kind synergy between two widely used microfabrication techniques, femtosecond laser and inkjet, demonstrating a very efficient integration of optical, electrical and microfluidic components in a unique platform and thus enabling fast prototyping of 3D structured electro-optic lab-on-chips.

Femtosecond laser fabricated monolithic chip for optical trapping and stretching of single cells.

We report on the fabrication by a femtosecond laser of an optofluidic device for optical trapping and stretching of single cells. Versatility and three-dimensional capabilities of this fabrication technology provide straightforward and extremely accurate alignment between the optical and fluidic components. Optical trapping and stretching of single red blood cells are demonstrated, thus proving the effectiveness of the proposed device as a monolithic optical stretcher. Our results pave the way for a new class of optofluidic devices for single cell analysis, in which, taking advantage of the flexibility of femtosecond laser micromachining, it is possible to further integrate sensing and sorting functions.