Optofluidics

Optofluidics is research field using microfluidics and optics. While the idea of fluid-optical devices can be traced back at least as far as the 18th century, and devices such as liquid mirror telescopes and dye lasers are relatively mature technologies, modern microfluidics presents a unique opportunity for creating unique microscale analogues of these early devices.^[1]

The term was coined in 2003 to reflect a new research field that combined microfluidic and optical (specifically nanophotonics).^[2] One of the primary applications of the field is for lab-on-a-chip and biophotonic products.^[3][4][5]

References

1. ^ Psaltis, D; Quake, SR; Yang, C (2006). "Developing optofluidic technology through the fusion of microfluidics and optics". Nature 442 (7101). Bibcode 2006Natur.442..381P. doi:10.1038/nature05060. PMID 16871205. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7101/abs/nature05060.html. 
2. ^ Fainman, p. 1
3. ^ Zahn, p. 185
4. ^ Boas, Gary (June 2011). "Optofluidics and the Real World: Technologies Evolve to Meet 21st Century Challenges". Photonics Spectra. http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=47300. Retrieved 2011-06-26. 
5. ^ "Optofluidics: Optofluidics can create small, cheap biophotonic devices". Jul 1, 2006. http://www.optoiq.com/index/photonics-technologies-applications/lfw-display/lfw-article-display.articles.laser-focus-world.volume-42.issue-7.features.optofluidics-optofluidics-can-create-small-cheap-biophotonic-devices.html. Retrieved 2011-06-26. 

Sources

• Fainman, Yeshaiahu; Psaltis, Demetri (18 September 2009). Optofluidics: fundamentals, devices, and applications. McGraw Hill Professional. ISBN 9780071601566. http://books.google.com/books?id=eRe1JAYRgjQC. Retrieved 26 June 2011. 
• Zahn, Jeffrey D. (31 October 2009). Methods in bioengineering: biomicrofabrication and biomicrofluidics. Artech House. ISBN 9781596934009. http://books.google.com/books?id=0t6X82OGvJYC. Retrieved 26 June 2011.