Fluorescent-Core Microcavities Based On Silicon Quantum Dots for Oil Sensing Applications
The compatibility of optical resonators with microfluidic systems may be relevant for chemical and biological applications. Here, a fluorescent-core microcavity (FCM) is investigated as a refractometric sensor for heavy oils. A high-index film of silicon quantum dots (QDs) was formed inside the capillary, supporting cylindrical fluorescence whispering gallery modes (WGMs). A set of standard refractive index oils was injected into a capillary, causing a shift of the WGM resonances toward longer wavelengths. A maximum sensitivity of 240 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) was found for a nominal oil index of 1.74. As well, a sensitivity of 22 nm/RIU was obtained for a lower index of 1.48, more typical of fuel hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the observed spectra and sensitivities were compared to theoretical predictions and reproduced via FDTD simulations, showing in general an excellent agreement. This work demonstrates the potential use of FCMs for oil sensing applications and the more generally for detecting liquid solutions with a high refractive index or high viscosity.
[1] I.M. White, H. Oveys and X. Fan, "Liquid-core optical ring-resonator
sensors," Opt. Lett., vol. 31, no. 9, pp. 1319-1321, May 2006.
[2] V. Zamora, A. Diez, M.V Andres and B. Gimeno, "Cylindrical optical
microcavities: basic properties and sensor applications," Photonics and
Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 149-
158, Sept. 2011.
[3] H. Zhu, I. M. White, J. D. Suter, M. Zourob and X. Fan, "Opto-fluidic
micro-ring resonator for sensitive label-free viral detection," Analyst,
vol. 133, no. 3, pp. 356-360, Jan. 2008.
[4] H. Zhu, I. M. White, J. D. Suter and X. Fan, "Phage-based label-free
biomolecule detection in an opto-fluidic ring resonator," Biosens.
Bioelectron., vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 461-466, Nov. 2008.
[5] J.D. Suter, I.M. White, H. Zhua, H. Shi, C.W. Caldwell and X. Fan,
"Label-free quantitative DNA detection using the liquid core optical ring
resonator," Biosens. Bioelectron., vol. 23, no. 7, pp. 1003-1009, Feb.
2008.
[6] G. Yang, I.M. White, and X. Fan, "An opto-fluidic ring resonator
biosensor for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides," Sens. Act.
B: Chemical, vol. 133, no.1, pp. 105-112, Jul. 2008.
[7] S. Lee, J-H Moon and G. Kim, "Detection of 6-benzylaminopurine plant
bioregulator using an opto-fluidic ring resonator (OFRR) biosensor,"
Anal. Methods, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 1041-1045, Mar. 2012.
[8] D.E. Angelescu, B. Mercier, D. Siess and R. Schroeder, "Microfluidic
capillary separation and real-time spectroscopic analysis of specific
components from multiphase mixtures," Anal. Chem., vol. 82, no. 6, pp.
2412-2420, Feb. 2010.
[9] M-J. Tsang, M. Ching, A.E. Pomerantz, A.B. Andrews, P. Dryden, R.
Schroeder, O.C. Mullins and C. Harrison, "On the nanofiltration of
asphaltene solutions, crude oils, and emulsions," Energy Fuels, vol. 24,
no.9, pp. 5028-5037, Aug. 2010.
[10] C. P. K. Manchee, V. Zamora, J. W. Silverstone, J. G. C. Veinot and A.
Meldrum "Refractometric sensing with fluorescent-core
microcapillaries," Opt. Express, vol. 19, no.22 , pp. 21540-21551, Jan.
2011.
[11] J. Castillo, H. Gutierrez, M. Ranaudo and O. Villarroel, "Measurement
of the refractive index of crude oil and asphaltene solutions: onset
flocculation determination," Energy Fuels, vol. 24, no.1, pp. 492-495,
Nov. 2010.
[12] H. El Ghandoor, E. Hegazi, I. Nasser and G.M. Behery, "Measuring the
refractive index of crude oil using a capillary tube interferometer," Opt.
Laser Tech., vol. 35, pp. 361-367, Jan. 2003.
[13] I. Teraoka and S. Arnold, "Enhancing the sensitivity of a whisperinggallery
mode microsphere sensor by a high-refractive-index surface
layer," JOSA B, vol. 23, no. 7, pp. 1434-1441, Jul. 2006.
[14] I. Teraoka, S. Arnold and F. Vollmer, "Perturbation approach to shift of
whispering-gallery-modes in microspheres by protein adsorption," JOSA
B, vol. 20, no. 9, pp.1937-1946, Sept. 2003.
[15] J. R. Rodriguez, P. Bianucci, A. Meldrum and J. G. C. Veinot,
"Whispering gallery modes in hollow cylindrical microcavities
containing silicon nanocrystals," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 93, no. 13, pp.
131119, Mar. 2008.
[16] http://www.cargille.com/
[17] A.W. Poon, R.K. Chang and J.A. Lock, "Spiral morphology-dependent
resonances in an optical fiber: effects of fiber tilt and focused gaussian
beam illumination," Opt. Lett., vol. 23, no.14, pp. 1105-1107, Jul. 1998.
[18] A. V. Boriskin, S.V. Boriskina, A. Rolland, R. Sauleau, and A. I.
Nosich, "Test of the FDTD Accuracy in the Analysis of the Scattering
Resonances Associated With High-Q Whispering-Gallery Modes of a
Circular Cylinder, " JOSA A, vol. 25, no.5, pp. 1169-1173, May 2008.
[19] J. W. Silverstone, S McFarlane, C.P.K. Manchee and A Meldrum,
"Ultimate Resolution for Refractometric Sensing With Whispering
Gallery Mode Microcavities," Opt. Express, vol. 20, no. 9, pp. 8284-
8295, Apr. 2012.
[20] D. J. Beede, G. A. Mensing and G. M. Walter, "Physics and applications
of microfluidics in biology," Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng., vol. 4, pp. 261-
286, Aug. 2002.
[21] J. Noh, H. C. Kim and D. Chung,"Biosensors in microfluidic chips,"
Top. Curr. Chem., vol. 304, pp. 117-152, Apr. 2011.
[22] S. G. Fiorini and D. T. Chiu, "Disposable microfluidic devices:
fabrication, function, and application," BioTechniques, vol. 38, pp. 429-
446, Mar. 2005.
[23] P. R. Lewis, P. Maginell, D. R. Adkins, R. J. Kottenstette, D.R.Wheeler,
S. S. Sokolowski, D.E. Trudell, J.E. Byrns, M. Okandan, Bauer J.M.,
R.G. Manley and C.Frye-Mason, "Recent advancements in the gas-phase
microchemlab, " IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 784-795.
Jun.2006.
[24] R. Camilli, "Characterizing marine hydrocarbons with in-situ mass
spectrometry," in Oceans 2007 IEEE Conf., pp. 1-7.
[25] R. Camilli, B. Bingham, C. M. Reddy, R. K. Nelson and A. N. Duryea,
"Method for rapid localization of seafloor petroleum contamination
using concurrent mass spectrometry and acoustic positioning," Marine
Pollution Bulletin, vol. 58, no. 10, pp. 1505-1513, Jun.2009.
[1] I.M. White, H. Oveys and X. Fan, "Liquid-core optical ring-resonator
sensors," Opt. Lett., vol. 31, no. 9, pp. 1319-1321, May 2006.
[2] V. Zamora, A. Diez, M.V Andres and B. Gimeno, "Cylindrical optical
microcavities: basic properties and sensor applications," Photonics and
Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 149-
158, Sept. 2011.
[3] H. Zhu, I. M. White, J. D. Suter, M. Zourob and X. Fan, "Opto-fluidic
micro-ring resonator for sensitive label-free viral detection," Analyst,
vol. 133, no. 3, pp. 356-360, Jan. 2008.
[4] H. Zhu, I. M. White, J. D. Suter and X. Fan, "Phage-based label-free
biomolecule detection in an opto-fluidic ring resonator," Biosens.
Bioelectron., vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 461-466, Nov. 2008.
[5] J.D. Suter, I.M. White, H. Zhua, H. Shi, C.W. Caldwell and X. Fan,
"Label-free quantitative DNA detection using the liquid core optical ring
resonator," Biosens. Bioelectron., vol. 23, no. 7, pp. 1003-1009, Feb.
2008.
[6] G. Yang, I.M. White, and X. Fan, "An opto-fluidic ring resonator
biosensor for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides," Sens. Act.
B: Chemical, vol. 133, no.1, pp. 105-112, Jul. 2008.
[7] S. Lee, J-H Moon and G. Kim, "Detection of 6-benzylaminopurine plant
bioregulator using an opto-fluidic ring resonator (OFRR) biosensor,"
Anal. Methods, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 1041-1045, Mar. 2012.
[8] D.E. Angelescu, B. Mercier, D. Siess and R. Schroeder, "Microfluidic
capillary separation and real-time spectroscopic analysis of specific
components from multiphase mixtures," Anal. Chem., vol. 82, no. 6, pp.
2412-2420, Feb. 2010.
[9] M-J. Tsang, M. Ching, A.E. Pomerantz, A.B. Andrews, P. Dryden, R.
Schroeder, O.C. Mullins and C. Harrison, "On the nanofiltration of
asphaltene solutions, crude oils, and emulsions," Energy Fuels, vol. 24,
no.9, pp. 5028-5037, Aug. 2010.
[10] C. P. K. Manchee, V. Zamora, J. W. Silverstone, J. G. C. Veinot and A.
Meldrum "Refractometric sensing with fluorescent-core
microcapillaries," Opt. Express, vol. 19, no.22 , pp. 21540-21551, Jan.
2011.
[11] J. Castillo, H. Gutierrez, M. Ranaudo and O. Villarroel, "Measurement
of the refractive index of crude oil and asphaltene solutions: onset
flocculation determination," Energy Fuels, vol. 24, no.1, pp. 492-495,
Nov. 2010.
[12] H. El Ghandoor, E. Hegazi, I. Nasser and G.M. Behery, "Measuring the
refractive index of crude oil using a capillary tube interferometer," Opt.
Laser Tech., vol. 35, pp. 361-367, Jan. 2003.
[13] I. Teraoka and S. Arnold, "Enhancing the sensitivity of a whisperinggallery
mode microsphere sensor by a high-refractive-index surface
layer," JOSA B, vol. 23, no. 7, pp. 1434-1441, Jul. 2006.
[14] I. Teraoka, S. Arnold and F. Vollmer, "Perturbation approach to shift of
whispering-gallery-modes in microspheres by protein adsorption," JOSA
B, vol. 20, no. 9, pp.1937-1946, Sept. 2003.
[15] J. R. Rodriguez, P. Bianucci, A. Meldrum and J. G. C. Veinot,
"Whispering gallery modes in hollow cylindrical microcavities
containing silicon nanocrystals," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 93, no. 13, pp.
131119, Mar. 2008.
[16] http://www.cargille.com/
[17] A.W. Poon, R.K. Chang and J.A. Lock, "Spiral morphology-dependent
resonances in an optical fiber: effects of fiber tilt and focused gaussian
beam illumination," Opt. Lett., vol. 23, no.14, pp. 1105-1107, Jul. 1998.
[18] A. V. Boriskin, S.V. Boriskina, A. Rolland, R. Sauleau, and A. I.
Nosich, "Test of the FDTD Accuracy in the Analysis of the Scattering
Resonances Associated With High-Q Whispering-Gallery Modes of a
Circular Cylinder, " JOSA A, vol. 25, no.5, pp. 1169-1173, May 2008.
[19] J. W. Silverstone, S McFarlane, C.P.K. Manchee and A Meldrum,
"Ultimate Resolution for Refractometric Sensing With Whispering
Gallery Mode Microcavities," Opt. Express, vol. 20, no. 9, pp. 8284-
8295, Apr. 2012.
[20] D. J. Beede, G. A. Mensing and G. M. Walter, "Physics and applications
of microfluidics in biology," Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng., vol. 4, pp. 261-
286, Aug. 2002.
[21] J. Noh, H. C. Kim and D. Chung,"Biosensors in microfluidic chips,"
Top. Curr. Chem., vol. 304, pp. 117-152, Apr. 2011.
[22] S. G. Fiorini and D. T. Chiu, "Disposable microfluidic devices:
fabrication, function, and application," BioTechniques, vol. 38, pp. 429-
446, Mar. 2005.
[23] P. R. Lewis, P. Maginell, D. R. Adkins, R. J. Kottenstette, D.R.Wheeler,
S. S. Sokolowski, D.E. Trudell, J.E. Byrns, M. Okandan, Bauer J.M.,
R.G. Manley and C.Frye-Mason, "Recent advancements in the gas-phase
microchemlab, " IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 784-795.
Jun.2006.
[24] R. Camilli, "Characterizing marine hydrocarbons with in-situ mass
spectrometry," in Oceans 2007 IEEE Conf., pp. 1-7.
[25] R. Camilli, B. Bingham, C. M. Reddy, R. K. Nelson and A. N. Duryea,
"Method for rapid localization of seafloor petroleum contamination
using concurrent mass spectrometry and acoustic positioning," Marine
Pollution Bulletin, vol. 58, no. 10, pp. 1505-1513, Jun.2009.
@article{"International Journal of Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences:61035", author = "V. Zamora and Z. Zhang and A. Meldrum", title = "Fluorescent-Core Microcavities Based On Silicon Quantum Dots for Oil Sensing Applications", abstract = "The compatibility of optical resonators with microfluidic systems may be relevant for chemical and biological applications. Here, a fluorescent-core microcavity (FCM) is investigated as a refractometric sensor for heavy oils. A high-index film of silicon quantum dots (QDs) was formed inside the capillary, supporting cylindrical fluorescence whispering gallery modes (WGMs). A set of standard refractive index oils was injected into a capillary, causing a shift of the WGM resonances toward longer wavelengths. A maximum sensitivity of 240 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) was found for a nominal oil index of 1.74. As well, a sensitivity of 22 nm/RIU was obtained for a lower index of 1.48, more typical of fuel hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the observed spectra and sensitivities were compared to theoretical predictions and reproduced via FDTD simulations, showing in general an excellent agreement. This work demonstrates the potential use of FCMs for oil sensing applications and the more generally for detecting liquid solutions with a high refractive index or high viscosity.
", keywords = "Oils,optical resonators, sensing
applications, whispering gallery modes.", volume = "6", number = "11", pages = "1590-6", }
