Integrating optics and microfluidics for time-correlated single-photon counting in lab-on-a-chip devices

The authors describe the integration of low-loss optical waveguides with lab-on-a-chip structures to produce an integrated optical-microfluidic platform for time-correlated single-photon counting of fluorescent molecules. Waveguides were fabricated using electron beam densification of planar silica on silicon, eliminating any requirement for depositing upper cladding silica layers. Microfluidic channels were dry etched directly through the waveguides and the device was sealed using a poly(dimethylsiloxane) gasket. Time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements of the fluorophore nile blue were used as a model system to demonstrate the operation of the microfluidic device, with dye concentrations as low as 1.5nM (equivalent to <6000molecules) being measured.