On-chip optical components and microfluidic systems

We present the concept and the fabrication of on-chip optical components based on new microfluidic functionalities. Soft lithography has been used for the fabrication of microfluidic devices made of poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). By filling the microchannels with a liquid of high refractive index, waveguides can be obtained. Other types of microoptical components such as beamsplitters, couplers, lenses and prisms are also fabricated. By inserting optical fibres into the microchannels, optical measurements are performed to show the expected effects. In addition, the dynamic spectroscopic detection of micro-beads of different colours has been demonstrated, and this should be applicable in various chemical and biological applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.