NanoPlasmonics, Microphotonics & Imaging

Research that includes:

  • Polymer, printed optical lenslet arrays
  • Microfluidic tuneable photopolymer lenses
  • Optical switches and planar lightwave MEMS
  • Vertically integrated microconfocal arrays
  • Bio-inspired integration of tuneable polymer optics with imaging electronics

BPN422: Nanophotonic Supported Lipid Bilayers

Christopher E. Korman
2009

The lipid bilayer membrane is crucial to the proper functioning of biological processes. It not only secludes a cell’s contents from the surrounding environment, but the membrane itself also serves as a dynamic scaffold for membrane proteins. The lipid membrane’s thickness is of nanoscale dimension, thus making it an ideal structure for nano and micro bioengineering applications. My research of biological membranes is two-fold. The first objective is to engineer a microfluidic structure that serves as learning tool for understanding the fundamental mechanical behavior of lipid...

BPN471: Nanogap Plasmonic Mirror Structure for Surface Enhanced Spectroscopy

Benjamin Ross
Jason Silver
2009

We intend to show that by engineering a plasmonic mirror between a metallic substrate and gold nanoparticles, high local electromagnetic field enhancement can be achieved. Furthermore, we hope to achieve the structure on a wafer level scale with inexpensive "bottom up" technologies.

Project end date: 08/11/09

DAH3: Single-Crystal PMN Bimorph Deformable Mirrors

Hyunkyu Park
2009

This project is focused on characterizing and modeling MEMS deformable mirrors for adaptive optics. We are interested in improving both the design and control of these mirrors as well as in developing new characterization and wavefront sensing methods. Although this project is presently targeted towards the vision science applications of adaptive optics, we are also interested in other applications requiring high-speed correction.

Project end date: 08/20/09

BPN447: BioMolecular Plasmonics of 'Nanocrown'

SoonGweon Hong
Yeonho Choi
2009

There is intense interest in electromagnetic fields in nanoscale metal structures because the difference of optical properties from bulk material is useful for biological and chemical sensing application. To control light-metal interaction, delicate fabrication such as electron-beam lithography and self-assembly, is necessary for waveguides below the diffraction limit of light. In this project, optimization of the nanostructure called 'nanocrown' based on template by mechanical, chemical and electrical self-assembly will be studied.

Project end date: 01/30/10

BPN516: Sensing Biomolecules through Crescent-Shaped Nanoholes

Liz Y. Wu
Benjamin M. Ross
2009

In this project we present the first demonstration of large-area crescent-shaped random nanohole arrays in gold film and test their capability for biosensing. Since the discovery of extraordinary transmission of light through subwavelength holes, much attention has been devoted to understanding the role of material properties, film thickness, hole geometry, and relative hole placements in the optical response of hole and hole arrays. Recently, it has been shown that such structures utilize local surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) of the nanohole structures to focus electromagnetic...

BPN515: Nanoplasmonic Antenna on Hexagonal Mirror Array for SERS

Eric P. Lee
YoungGeun Park
Yeonho Choi
SoonGweon Hong
2009

In recent years, SERS has been researched actively in order to develop label-free chemical, biological, medical, or environmental detections. This project addresses the SERS enhancement generated through the self-assembly of gold nanoplasmonic particles on a curved hexagonal mirror array to achieve highly sensitive probes. Self ordering anodic aluminum oxide coated with a thin layer of gold will serve as the curved hexagonal mirror array as well as a template for the self assembly of the nanoparticles. The SERS substrates utilize coupling between the continuous metal, mirror film and...

BPN522: Formation of Optical Nanostructures Using Diblock Copolymers

Joanne C. Lo
2009

Nanoscale plasmonic structures are at the forefront of innovations in biomolecular and chemical detection, nanoscale lithography, optical computing, and photovoltaic conversion. This project will focus on the design, fabrication, and operation of plasmonic structures. Fabrication will include an appropriate mix of top-down (e.g. nanoimprint lithography) and bottom-up (e.g. block copolymers) methods. Low-cost, batch-fabrication methods will serve as the foundation of this research.

Project end date: 02/03/10

BPN380: Plasmon Resonance Energy Transfer (PRET)-based Nanospectroscopic Metal Ion Detection

Yeonho Choi
2009

Since metal ions play a vital role in the catalytic function of many enzymes in gene regulation and in free radical homeostasis, elucidation of the spatio-temporal distribution and functional states of trace metal ions is critical for understanding the molecular and transport mechanisms of metal ions in cell biology and medicine. It is also critical to find label-free sensitive and selective metal ion detection methods for environmental monitoring.

Project end date: 02/04/10

BPN379: PRET-based Molecular Imaging on Integrated Optofluidic Nanoplasmonic Platform

Yeonho Choi
2009

Our understanding of biological systems is increasingly dependent on our ability to visualize and quantify biomolecules and biological events with high spatial and temporal resolution in the cellular context. In this regard, the development of cellular and molecular imaging techniques is of considerable interest in many areas of research, from molecular and cellular biology to medical diagnostics and molecular medicine.

Project end date: 02/04/10

BPN482: Micro-Digital Particle Image Velocimetry Using LED Illumination

Bakhshinder Nijjar
Varun Boriah
2010

Micron-resolution particle image velocimetry systems that measure flow-fields in micron-scale fluid devices have been used for almost 10 years at BSAC and other institutions, but are plagued with high capital costs and their cumbersome operating requirements. This work envisions creating a µ DPIV system that is considerably smaller, cheaper, easier to use and less hazardous. The proposed µ DPIV system achieves these goals through replacing the dual cavity Nd:YAG laser with a high power LED. In addition to the above benefits, a LED based µ DPIV system has advantages of adaptability...