Title
Computational methodology for absolute calibration curves for microfluidic optical analyses.
Abstract
Optical fluorescence and absorption are two of the primary techniques used for analytical microfluidics. We provide a thorough yet tractable method for computing the performance of diverse optical micro-analytical systems. Sample sizes range from nano-to many micro-liters and concentrations from nano-to milli-molar. Equations are provided to trace quantitatively the flow of the fundamental entities, namely photons and electrons, and the conversion of energy from the source, through optical components, samples and spectral-selective components, to the detectors and beyond. The equations permit facile computations of calibration curves that relate the concentrations or numbers of molecules measured to the absolute signals from the system. This methodology provides the basis for both detailed understanding and improved design of microfluidic optical analytical systems. It saves prototype turn-around time, and is much simpler and faster to use than ray tracing programs. Over two thousand spreadsheet computations were performed during this study. We found that some design variations produce higher signal levels and, for constant noise levels, lower minimum detection limits. Improvements of more than a factor of 1,000 were realized.
Year
DOI
Venue
2010
10.3390/s100706730
SENSORS
Keywords
Field
DocType
microfluidic,chemical analysis,bio-chemical analysis,optical fluorescence,optical absorption
Photon,Analytical chemistry,Ray tracing (graphics),Microfluidics,Calibration curve,Engineering,Detector,Nano-,Calibration,Computation
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
10
7
1424-8220
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
0
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Chia-Pin Chang1112.25
David J. Nagel2443.77
Mona E. Zaghloul37319.65