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Imaging diffusion in a microfluidic device by third harmonic microscopy

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Abstract

We monitor and characterize near-surface diffusion of miscible, transparent liquids in a microfluidic device by third harmonic microscopy. The technique enables observations even of transparent or index-matched media without perturbation of the sample. In particular, we image concentrations of ethanol diffusing in water and estimate the diffusion coefficient from the third harmonic images. We obtain a diffusion coefficient D = (460 ± 30) μm2/s, which is consistent with theoretical predictions. The investigations clearly demonstrate the potential of harmonic microscopy also under the challenging conditions of transparent fluids.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Angewandte Physik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 6, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany

    Uwe Petzold, Andreas Büchel & Thomas Halfmann

  2. Center of Smart Interfaces, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Petersenstraße 32, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Steffen Hardt

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  1. Uwe Petzold
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  2. Andreas Büchel
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  3. Steffen Hardt
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  4. Thomas Halfmann
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Correspondence to Uwe Petzold.

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Petzold, U., Büchel, A., Hardt, S. et al. Imaging diffusion in a microfluidic device by third harmonic microscopy. Exp Fluids 53, 777–782 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1321-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1321-5

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