Reconfigurable SiC Embedded Photonic Structures with Self Optical Bias Control

Multilayered heterostructures based on embedded a-Si:H and a-SiC:H p-i-n filters are analyzed from differential voltage design perspective using short- and long-pass filters. The transfer functions characteristics are presented. A numerical simulation is presented to explain the filtering properties of the photonic devices. Several monochromatic pulsed lights, separately (input channels) or in a polychromatic mixture (multiplexed signal) at different bit rates, illuminated the device. Steady-state optical bias is superimposed from the front and the back side. Results show that depending on the wavelength of the external background and impinging side, the device acts either as a short- or a long-pass band filter or as a band-stop filter. Particular attention is given to the amplification coefficient weights, which allow to take into account the wavelength background effects when a band or frequency needs to be filtered or the gate switch, in which optical active filter gates are used to select and filter input signals to specific output ports in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) communication systems. This nonlinearity provides the possibility for selective removal or addition of wavelengths. A truth table of an encoder that performs 8-to-1 MUX function exemplifies the optoelectronic conversion.     

Optical Filter Design Using Background Wavelength Processing Techniques

Amorphous SiC tandem heterostructures are used to filter a specific band, in the visible range. Experimental and simulated results are compared to validate the use of SiC multilayered structures in applications where gain compensation is needed or to attenuate unwanted wavelengths. Spectral response data acquired under different frequencies, optical wavelength control and side irradiations are analyzed. Transfer function characteristics are discussed. Color pulsed communication channels are transmitted together and the output signal analyzed under different background conditions. Results show that under controlled wavelength backgrounds, the device sensitivity is enhanced in a precise wavelength range and quenched in the others, tuning or suppressing a specific band. Depending on the background wavelength and irradiation side, the device acts either as a long-, a short-, or a band-rejection pass filter. An optoelectronic model supports the experimental results and gives insight on the physics of the device.     

Detection of Change in Fluorescence Between Reactive Cyan and the Yellow Fluorophores Using a-SiC:H Multilayer Transducers

The transducer consists of a semiconductor device based on two stacked -i-n heterostructures that were designed to detect the emissions of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between fluorophores in the cyan (470 nm) and yellow (588 nm) range of the spectrum. This research represents a preliminary study on the use of such wavelength-sensitive devices as photodetectors for this kind of application. The device was characterized through optoelectronic measurements concerning spectral response measurements under different electrical and optical biasing conditions. To simulate the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs, a chromatic time-dependent combination of cyan and yellow wavelengths was applied to the device. The generated photocurrent was measured under reverse and forward bias to read out the output photocurrent signal. A different wavelength-biasing light was also superimposed. Results show that under reverse bias, the photocurrent signal presents four separate levels, each one assigned to the different wavelength combinations of the FRET pairs. If a blue background is superimposed, the yellow channel is enhanced and the cyan suppressed, while under red irradiation, the opposite behavior occurs. So, under suitable biasing light, the transducer is able to detect separately the cyan and yellow fluorescence pairs. An electrical model, supported by a numerical simulation, supports the transduction mechanism of the device.     

A Tunable on-Chip Integrated Plasmonic Filter and Router Based on Metal/Dielectric Nanostructures

An on-chip integrated wavelength filter and router device is realized using two-dimensional metal/dielectric nanostructures. The device can filter wavelengths of light from an incident broadband beam, and further route the filtered signals to different ports on the same chip. The footprint of the entire device is only 3.4 μm × 7.3 μm. Both the number of wavelength channels and the central wavelength of each channel can be tuned by adjusting the structure parameters, or by using a pumped laser. This work demonstrates an ultracompact and robust integrated multifunctional device, and provides a novel and flexible method for the integration of nanophotonic devices.     

Genetic analyses of two independent chlorophyll-deficient mutants identified among the progeny of a single chimeric foliage soybean plant

Chimeric (variegated) foliage plants are frequently observed in many species. In soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], progeny of chimeric plants are a source of nuclear and cytoplasmically inherited mutants. Self-pollinated progeny of a single chimeric plant derived from tissue culture of PI 427099 (Jilin 3) included plants with green foliage, chimeric foliage, yellow foliage (viable), and yellow foliage (lethal). Our objectives were to determine (1) inheritance, linkage, and allelism of the lethal-yellow mutant with known chlorophyll-deficient mutants; (2) inheritance, linkage, and allelism of the viable-yellow mutant with known chlorophyll-deficient mutants; (3) allelism of the lethal-yellow mutant with the viable-yellow mutant; and (4) male and female gamete transmission of the viable-yellow mutant trait. The viable-yellow mutant was allelic to T323, y20 y20 (Ames 2) Mdh1-n Mdh1-n (Ames 2) and was assigned genetic type collection number T361 and gene symbol y20 y20 (Ames 24) Mdh1-n Mdh1-n (Ames 22). The lethal-yellow mutant was allelic to T225H (Y18 y18) and was assigned genetic type collection number T362H and gene symbol Y18 y18 (Ames 2). T225H became Y18 y18 (Ames 1). The two chlorophyll-deficient mutants were not linked to each other. There was no significant difference in F(1) male or female gamete transmission of the viable-yellow mutant. However, many cross-combinations gave significant deviations from the expected 3 green plants:1 viable-yellow plant in the F(2) generation. The allelism of these two chlorophyll-deficient mutants with mutants T225H and T323, derived from putative transposable element systems, is intriguing. An explanation of this phenomenon awaits molecular experimentation.     

An on-chip thin film photodetector for the quantification of DNA probes and targets in microarrays

A flat microdevice which incorporates a thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photodetector with an upper layer of functionalized SiO₂ is used to quantify the density of both immobilized and hybridized DNA oligonucleotides labeled with a fluorophore. The device is based on the photoconductivity of hydrogenated amorphous silicon in a coplanar electrode configuration. Excitation, with near UV/blue light, of a single-stranded DNA molecule tagged with the fluorophore 1-(3-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)benzyl)-4-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)oxazol-2-yl) pyridinium bromide (PyMPO), results in the emission of visible light. The emitted light is then converted into an electrical signal in the photodetector, thus allowing the optoelectronic detection of the DNA molecules. The detection limit of the present device is of the order of 1 × 10¹² molecules/cm² and is limited by the efficiency of the filtering of the excitation light. A surface density of 33.5 ± 4.0 pmol/cm² was measured for DNA covalently immobilized to the functionalized SiO₂ thin film and a surface density of 3.7 ± 1.5 pmol/cm² was measured for the complementary DNA hybridized to the bound DNA. The detection concept explored can enable on-chip electronic data acquisition, improving both the speed and the reliability of DNA microarrays.     

Physical mechanisms of solid-protein interactions in the interface between amorphous silicon carbide and fibrinogen]

State of the art in biomaterial research and implant design is a compromise between functionality and biocompatibility. Consequently the results often have disadvantages with respect to both aspects. In regard to biocompatibility the activation of the clotting system by alloplastic materials is of great significance, because it necessitates anticoagulant therapy. Further improvements of implant technology require an understanding of the interactions between blood and implants. Therefore a microscopic model of thrombogenesis at alloplastic surfaces will shortly be presented, which relates thrombogenicity of a material to the electronic structure of its surface. The requirements for high hemocompatibility, which result from this model--especially in regard to the density of states and the conductivity at the surface--are fulfilled by an amorphous alloy of silicon and carbon (a-SiC:H). The advantage of amorphous materials is that they do not obey stoichiometric rules. Thus they allow a continuous adjustment of the electronic parameters without fundamental changes of their mechanical and chemical properties. The theoretical results where checked by total internal reflection intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy (TIRIF) as well as thrombelastography experiments (TEG). In comparison to conventional materials like titanium or LTI carbon the TEG-clotting time of a-SiC:H-coatings is prolonged in excess of 200%. As a consequence a-SiC:H is well suited as a hemocompatible coating material for hybrid structuring of cardiovascular implants.     

Design of Plasmonic Comb-Like Filters Using Loop-Based Resonators

A subwavelength plasmonic comb-like filter is proposed by using dual symmetric slot cavities which are placed between two parallel metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structure waveguides. The structure can be considered as a resonance loop which consists of slot cavity resonators and MIM waveguide resonators. The reflective wavelength range and channel spacing are determined by the lengths of slot cavities and MIM waveguides, respectively. Three, four, and five reflective channels with high reflection are achieved in a small wavelength range. Higher channel count can be available by increasing the length or the real part of effective index of MIM waveguides. Such a device can find applications in various optical systems such as wavelength demultiplexing components.     

Detection of DNA and proteins using amorphous silicon ion-sensitive thin-film field effect transistors

Amorphous silicon-based ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (a-Si:H ISFETs) are used for the label-free detection of biological molecules. The covalent immobilization of DNA, followed by DNA hybridization, and of the surface adsorption of oligonucleotides and proteins were detected electronically by the a-Si:H ISFET. The ISFET measurements are performed with an external Ag/AgCl microreference electrode immersed in 100mM phosphate buffer electrolyte with pH 7.0. Threshold voltage shifts in the transfer curve of the ISFETs are observed resulting from successive steps of surface chemical functionalization, covalent DNA attachment to the functionalized surface, surface blocking, and hybridization with a complementary target. The surface sensitivity achieved for DNA oligonucleotides is of the order of 1pmol/cm(2). Point-of-zero charge estimations were made for the functionalized surfaces and for the device surface after DNA immobilization and hybridization. The results show a correlation between the changes in the point-of-zero charge and the shift observed in the threshold voltage of the devices. Electronic detection of adsorbed proteins and DNA is also achieved by monitoring the shifts of the threshold voltage of the ISFETs, with a sensitivity of approximately 50nM.     

Linking Vertical Bulk‐Heterojunction Composition and Transient Photocurrent Dynamics in Organic Solar Cells with Solution‐Processed MoOx Contact Layers

It is demonstrated that a combination of microsecond transient photocurrent measurements and film morphology characterization can be used to identify a charge‐carrier blocking layer within polymer:fullerene bulk‐heterojunction solar cells. Solution‐processed molybdenum oxide (s‐MoO_x) interlayers are used to control the morphology of the bulk‐heterojunction. By selecting either a low‐ or high‐temperature annealing (70 °C or 150 °C) for the s‐MoO_x layer, a well‐performing device is fabricated with an ideally interconnected, high‐efficiency morphology, or a device is fabricated in which the fullerene phase segregates near the hole extracting contact preventing efficient charge extraction. By probing the photocurrent dynamics of these two contrasting model systems as a function of excitation voltage and light intensity, the optoelectronic responses of the solar cells are correlated with the vertical phase composition of the polymer:fullerene active layer, which is known from dynamic secondary‐ion mass spectroscopy (DSIMS). Numerical simulations are used to verify and understand the experimental results. The result is a method to detect poor morphologies in operating organic solar cells.     

Impact of Hole Transport Layer Surface Properties on the Morphology of a Polymer‐Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction

Investigations on the impact of interfacial modification on organic optoelectronic device performance often attribute the improved device performance to the optoelectronic properties of the modifier. A critical assumption of such conclusions is that the organic active layer deposited on top of the modified surface (interface) remains unaltered. Here the validity of this assumption is investigated by examining the impact of substrate surface properties on the morphology of poly(3‐hexylthiophene):1‐(3‐methoxycarbonyl)‐propyl‐1‐phenyl‐[6,6]C₆₁ (P3HT:PCBM) bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ). A set of four nickel oxide and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole transport layers (HTL) with contrasting surface properties and performance in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices is studied. Differences in vertical composition variation and structural morphologies are observed across the samples, but only in the near‐interface region of <～20 nm. Near‐interface differences in morphology are most closely correlated with surface polarity and surface roughness of the HTL. Surface polarity is more influenced by surface composition than surface roughness and crystal structure. These findings corroborate the previously mentioned conclusions that the differences in device performance observed in solar cells employing these HTLs are dominated by the electronic properties of the HTL/organic photoactive active layer interface and not by unintentional alteration in the BHJ active layer morphology.     

声光可调谐滤波器的细胞生物学研究应用

波长选择在荧光光谱仪和显微镜等光学应用中发挥了至关重要的作用。声光可调谐滤波器(AOTF)作为一种电光器件可实现多光源入射波长、功率的同时调制。在声光可调谐滤波器中,压电换能器结合于二氧化碲或石英晶体产生高频声波,改变晶体折射率形成周期性分布。该现象在晶体中生成衍射光栅,使以布拉格角正交入射的光束被高效衍射至一阶光束。当改变施加到晶体的信号频率时将改变折射率变化周期,因此,衍射光的波长随之改变。同时,衍射光强度由施加到晶体的信号振幅决定。本文从声光可调谐滤波器原理和特点出发,总结了声光可调谐滤波器在细胞生物学研究系统中的应用模型。得益于作用时间短、波长分辨率高、无振动部件等特性,声光可调谐滤波器提升了多波长光源功率调制能力,使细胞计数系统具备了细胞高光谱成像能力。所以不仅限于传统细胞生物学研究,包含声光可调谐滤波器件的系统还将在多参数高内涵成像分析、扫描荧光显微术、药物毒理研究等领域成为有力的研究工具。     

CMOS microelectrode array for the monitoring of electrogenic cells

Signal degradation and an array size dictated by the number of available interconnects are the two main limitations inherent to standalone microelectrode arrays (MEAs). A new biochip consisting of an array of microelectrodes with fully-integrated analog and digital circuitry realized in an industrial CMOS process addresses these issues. The device is capable of on-chip signal filtering for improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), on-chip analog and digital conversion, and multiplexing, thereby facilitating simultaneous stimulation and recording of electrogenic cell activity. The designed electrode pitch of 250 microm significantly limits the space available for circuitry: a repeated unit of circuitry associated with each electrode comprises a stimulation buffer and a bandpass filter for readout. The bandpass filter has corner frequencies of 100 Hz and 50 kHz, and a gain of 1000. Stimulation voltages are generated from an 8-bit digital signal and converted to an analog signal at a frequency of 120 kHz. Functionality of the read-out circuitry is demonstrated by the measurement of cardiomyocyte activity. The microelectrode is realized in a shifted design for flexibility and biocompatibility. Several microelectrode materials (platinum, platinum black and titanium nitride) have been electrically characterized. An equivalent circuit model, where each parameter represents a macroscopic physical quantity contributing to the interface impedance, has been successfully fitted to experimental results.     

Free-Space Plasmonic Filter with Dual-Resonance Wavelength Using Asymmetric T-Shaped Metallic Array

In this study, we propose a plasmonic free-space filter with dual resonance wavelength by using an asymmetric T-shaped array. The structure under the T-shaped structure forms two metal/insulator/metal cavities with different cavity length. Each cavity supports a specific resonance wavelength. A notch filter for second harmonic generation Nd:YAG laser is also proposed. The filter offers two resonance dips and low sideband. In addition, the filter properties are based on the localized surface plasmon. Therefore, the angle tolerance is extremely high. This makes the proposed structure easy to align. The proposed structure can be used in dual wavelength biosensing detection and dual wavelength thermal emission applications.     

A high performance micro-dual-wavelength-spectrophotometer (MDWS)

The dual wavelength spectrophotometer (DWS) has proven to be the most sensitive device to monitor minute optical absorbance changes, which are inaccessible to conventional single or double beam spectrophotometers. The typical set ups, e.g. extensively used for Ca2+ or phytochrome measurements, are huge, expensive and cumbrous. Therefore, a novel high performance micro-dual-wavelength spectrophotometer (MDWS) was developed. It is miniaturized and no moving parts such as vibrational mirrors or rotating filter wheels involved. Its specifications are superior compared to the conventional set up being capable of detecting minute optical changes (reflection, absorbance, transmittance) at particular wavelengths.     

Enhanced Optical Absorption and Spectral Photocurrent in a-Si:H by Single- and Double-Layer Silver Plasmonic Interfaces

Single and double plasmonic interfaces consisting of silver nanoparticles embedded in media with different dielectric constants including SiO₂, SiN_x, and Al:ZnO have been fabricated by a self-assembled dewetting technique and integrated to amorphous silicon films. Single plasmonic interfaces exhibit plasmonic resonances whose frequency is red-shifted with increasing particle size and with the thickness of a dielectric spacer layer. Double plasmonic interfaces consisting of two different particle sizes exhibit resonances consisting of double minima in the transmittance spectra. The optical extinction of a-Si:H deposited on these interfaces is broadened into the red indicating higher absorption and/or scattering at wavelengths higher than those typically absorbed by a-Si:H without plasmonic interfaces. While the photocurrent shows an overall decrease for the samples with the interfaces, significant enhancement of photocurrent is observed near the low-energy edge of the bandgap (600–700 nm). These results correlate well with the broadened extinction spectra of the interfaces and are interpreted in terms of enhanced absorption in that region.     

基于DSP 与FPAA 的电化学信号滤波器

目的:研究对自主研发的DNA电化学分析仪所采集电化学信号的噪声的滤除方法。方法:根据电化学噪声信号的特征及其频率分布范围,采用由现场可编程模拟阵列(FPAA)实现的有高阶低通滤波器和基于DSP实现的FIR数字滤波器相结合的方式,对混合在电化学信号中的高频噪声信号进行滤除。结果:对滤波结果进行分析,频率在100HZ以上的噪声信号基本滤除。结论:FPAA与DSP芯片的结合构成了一个稳定性高,线性相位特性好,实时性强的高效滤波器。     

A Compact Nanoplasmonics Filter and Intersection Structure Based on Utilizing a Slot Cavity and a Fabry–Perot Resonator

By combining a Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity with a slot cavity, a compact filter structure is proposed. The peak resonance wavelength is determined by applying the FP resonance condition of the FP cavity. The relationship between filtering wavelength and cavity parameters is investigated. The results show that the filtering wavelength can be manipulated by changing the nanocavities' parameters. By using the finite difference time domain method, the theoretical predictions are confirmed. An intersection structure for nanoplasmonic waveguides is proposed and designed by utilizing two perpendicular filters. In addition to having compact dimensions, the proposed arrangement provides higher throughput and low cross talk. The proposed structure can be useful for designing compact integrated nanoplasmonic circuits.     

Direct and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens within fresh produce samples using a field-deployable handheld device

Direct and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens from fresh produce samples was accomplished using a handheld lab-on-a-chip device, requiring little to no sample processing and enrichment steps for a near-real-time detection and truly field-deployable device. The detection of Escherichia coli K12 and O157:H7 in iceberg lettuce was achieved utilizing optimized Mie light scatter parameters with a latex particle immunoagglutination assay. The system exhibited good sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 10 CFU mL(-1) and an assay time of <6 min. Minimal pretreatment with no detrimental effects on assay sensitivity and reproducibility was accomplished with a simple and cost-effective KimWipes filter and disposable syringe. Mie simulations were used to determine the optimal parameters (particle size d, wavelength λ, and scatter angle θ) for the assay that maximize light scatter intensity of agglutinated latex microparticles and minimize light scatter intensity of the tissue fragments of iceberg lettuce, which were experimentally validated. This introduces a powerful method for detecting foodborne pathogens in fresh produce and other potential sample matrices. The integration of a multi-channel microfluidic chip allowed for differential detection of the agglutinated particles in the presence of the antigen, revealing a true field-deployable detection system with decreased assay time and improved robustness over comparable benchtop systems. Additionally, two sample preparation methods were evaluated through simulated field studies based on overall sensitivity, protocol complexity, and assay time. Preparation of the plant tissue sample by grinding resulted in a two-fold improvement in scatter intensity over washing, accompanied with a significant increase in assay time: ～5 min (grinding) versus ～1 min (washing). Specificity studies demonstrated binding of E. coli O157:H7 EDL933 to only O157:H7 antibody conjugated particles, with no cross-reactivity to K12. This suggests the adaptability of the system for use with a wide variety of pathogens, and the potential to detect in a variety of biological matrices with little to no sample pretreatment.     

A Tunable Slow Light Device with Multiple Channels Based on Plasmon-Induced Transparency

Slow light devices with buffering capability play a critical role in all-optical signal processing. In this paper, multiple slow light phenomena are implemented based on plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in our device. The device mainly consists of dual tooth cavities coupled with stub resonators, respectively. Temporal coupled-mode theory model illustrates that the triple PIT phenomena can be achieved based on different formation mechanisms. The simulation results calculated by the finite-difference time-domain method reveal that significant slow light response occurs at two wavelength regions. In addition, the parameters of structure have an important influence on PIT response and slow light characteristics. Moreover, the separate manipulation of wavelength, transmission and group index at transparency peak can be achieved in different slow light channels by adjusting the structural parameters. This plasmonic device is of great significance for the design of optical networks on chips.