“Optofluidics” represents the marriage of optics, optoelectronics and nanophotonics with fluidics. Such integration represents a new approach for dynamic manipulation of optical properties at length scales both greater than and smaller than the wavelength of light. The capabilities in terms of fluidic control, mixing, miniaturization and optical property tuning afforded by micro-/nano- and electro-fluidics provides an ideal platform upon which to build such devices. Potential functionalities include (a) fluidically reconfigurable and tunable photonic devices (b) detection, manipulation, and sorting of cells, virus, and biomolecules in fluidics, (c) biophotonic system-on-a-chip (Bio-SOC), (d) delivery of optical gain media, non-linear liquids, or colloidal particles into arbitrary regions of photonic structures, and (e) new classes of resonant cavity biosensors incorporating targeted delivery of single or few molecules. Exciting new possibilities are envisioned within many areas including, Optofluidic Integration.
A major purpose of this conference will be to bring together researchers in laser, electro-optic and microfluidics areas, chemists, and biologists with those whose specialties lie within the micro- and nano-scale fluidic and biosensor and biomedical fields to discuss and present fundamental issues and solutions related to the integration of these two fields and develop novel new applications. Papers will be solicited in the following areas:
- Fundamental and practical implementation of single and multi-phase fluidics as related to the transport of fluids, nano-particles, bio-entities and thermal energy into and around photonic structures.
- Manufacturing techniques for nanoscale integration of micro- and nano- fluidic channels and flow control elements (e.g. valves, pumps and electrokinetically based manipulation) with optical devices.
- Innovative integration techniques combining optics, fluidics, electronics, acoustics, magnetics, and other mechanisms for new and unique functions.
- Optofluidic applications: Micro- and Nano-scale fluidics for creating tunable, adaptable or reconfigurable optical or photonic devices (e.g. photonic crystals, lasers, optical fibers).
- Optofluidic information processing.
- On-chip spectroscopy.
- Fluidic waveguides.
- Optical particle manipulation in fluids.
- (Single) bioparticle spectroscopy (cells, molecules, ...).
