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Optofluidics technology based on colloids and their assemblies

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Abstract

Optofluidic technology is believed to provide a breakthrough for the currently underlying problems in microfluidics and photonics/optics by complementary integration of fluidics and photonics. The key aspect of the optofluidics technology is based on the use of fluidics for tuning the optical properties and addressing various functional materials inside of microfluidic channels which have build-in photonic structures. Through the optofluidic integrations, fluidics enhances the controllability and tunability of optical systems. In particular, colloidal dispersion gives novel properties such as photonic band-gaps and enhanced Raman spectrum that conventional optofluidic devices cannot exhibit. In this paper, the state of the art of the colloidal dispersions is reviewed especially for optofluidic applications. From isolated singlet colloidal particles to colloidal clusters, their self-organized assemblies lead to optical manipulation of the photonic/optical properties and responses. Finally, we will discuss the prospects of the integrated optofluidics technology based on colloidal systems.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported a grant from the Creative Research Initiative Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology for “Complementary Hybridization of Optical and Fluidic Devices for Integrated Optofluidic Systems”. The authors also appreciate partial support from the Brain Korea 21 Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Creative Research Initiative Center for Integrated Optofluidic Systems and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, South Korea

    Seung-Kon Lee, Shin-Hyun Kim, Ji-Hwan Kang, Sung-Gyu Park, Won-Jong Jung, Se-Hoon Kim & Seung-Man Yang

  2. Korea Basic Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul Center, Nanobio System Team, Seoul, 126-16, South Korea

    Gi-Ra Yi

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  1. Seung-Kon Lee
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Correspondence to Seung-Man Yang.

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Lee, SK., Kim, SH., Kang, JH. et al. Optofluidics technology based on colloids and their assemblies. Microfluid Nanofluid 4, 129–144 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-007-0218-8

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