On-chip liquid dye lasers are ideal coherent light sources for ‘lab-on-a-chip’ systems in that they allow the integration of a narrow band and widely tunable laser source with other microfluidic and optical functionalities. In this project, we demonstrate the first optofluidic distributed feedback (DFB) liquid dye laser on a PDMS chip for elstomeric microfluidics. Single mode operation is obtained using a phase shifted 15th order DFB structure embedded in a single transverse mode liquid core channel waveguide.

We also explore the possibilities of achieving multiple color lasing, integrated laser arrays, mechanical and fluidic tuning and monolithic integration with PDMS microfluidic circuits. In addition other types of laser cavities such as microrings, microdisks and microtorroids are studied.

Optofludic DFB dye lasers can be used for on chip fluorescence excitation for applications such as fluorescence actuated cell sorters (FACS), real-time PCR and DNA sequencing. Also a widely tunable dye laser or an array of dye lasers can be used for on chip spectrometer applications such as absorption and Raman spectroscopy. Other applications include active microresonator based optical biosensors and multiplexed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensors.

Optofludic DFB dye lasers can be used for on chip fluorescence excitation for applications such as fluorescence actuated cell sorters (FACS), real-time PCR and DNA sequencing. Also a widely tunable dye laser or an array of dye lasers can be used for on chip spectrometer applications such as absorption and Raman spectroscopy. Other applications include active microresonator based optical biosensors and multiplexed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensors.