Metal-insulator-metal waveguides for particle trapping and separation. Issue 12 (24th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Saara A.; Chang, Chia-Ming; Zaidi, Zain; Shin, Wonseok; Shi, Yu; Ellerbee Bowden, Audrey K.; Solgaard, Olav
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 16:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 2302
• Page End: 2308
• Publication Date: 2016-05-24
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00366d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : Optical particle trapping and separation are essential techniques in the fields of biology and chemistry. Abstract : Optical particle trapping and separation are essential techniques in the fields of biology and chemistry. In many applications, it is important to identify passive separation techniques that only rely on intrinsic forces in a system with a fixed device geometry. We present a dual-waveguide sorter that utilizes the loss of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguides for completely passive particle trapping and separation and is created using a unique angle sidewall deposition process. Our experiments show that an inner Au–Si3 N4 –Au waveguide is able to trap particles within the propagation distance of its dominant modes and release the particles into an outer Au–H2 O–Au waveguide. The outer waveguide then propels the particles and separates them by size. The separation results are accurately modeled by a first-principles, analytical model.