Dielectrophoretically tuneable optical waveguides using nanoparticles in microfluidics

We present a tuneable optical waveguide using dielectrophoretically controlled nanoparticles in microfluidics. Silicon dioxide nanoparticles of different sizes in de-ionized water are channelled through a microfluidic system. An array of microelectrodes generates the dielectrophoretic force to funnel nanoparticles, forming narrowbands at the center of the microfluidics at different applied voltages and frequencies. It is observed that these narrowbands either scatter or guide the coupled light under selected conditions. The realization of such a system offers exciting possibilities for the development of a new class of optofluidics, which are tuned by the positioning of nanoparticles on demand. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3358384]