Highly Sensitive Micro Fluorescence Detector for Bioanalytical Devices

An advanced micro fluorescence detector (microFD) uses a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photodiode for high sensitivity biochemical analyses in micro-capillary electrophoresis (microCE) applications, representing an advancement in the field of portable microfluidic analysis systems, or lab-on-a-chip devices. The detector is highly sensitive to the emission wavelengths of commonly used fluorescent dyes, and in an integrated configuration using a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) diode, proves efficacious for heavily multiplexed microfluidic biochemical analyses. This design can be fabricated and integrated at a low cost, making it ideal for the production of portable bioanalyzers that handle minute quantities of fluids (picoliters to nanoliters), as well as emerging large-scale integrated microfluidic technologies.