Process Analytical Technology
This introduction into the multidisciplinary area of optofluidics offers the necessary foundations in photonics, polymer physics and process analytics to students, engineers and researchers to enter the field. All basic ingredients of a polymer-based platform as a foundation for quick and compact solutions for chemical, biological and medical sensing and manipulation are developed.
This book focuses on integrated ring resonators made from various optical waveguide materials for diverse applications. These resonators are essential for creating optical filters, lasers, sensors, modulators, and dispersion compensators. It encompasses everything from simulations of different ring resonator configurations to current fabrication processes and their applications across various fields. The content summarizes the evolution of this technology, showcasing numerous examples from past to present. It is aimed at students, graduates, professionals, academics, and industry experts engaged in this dynamic area. The examples presented were collected over four years, organized into chapters for clarity. Integrated ring resonators have captivated me since my PhD began in 1999, and I express my gratitude to the community for providing valuable research material that inspired this work. Given the vast number of publications in this field, I hope to have referenced most significant contributions and welcome any suggestions for overlooked works. As research continues, I invite contributions to my database for inclusion in future publications.
At the cross-roads of biology, microfluidics and photonics the field of optofluidics allows for quick and compact solutions for medical and biochemical sensing and manipulation. This book is concerned with the ingredients for a polymer-based platform which is able to culture and pattern life cells for a sufficient period of time, enables the integration of photonic devices, and provides means to integrate electronic readout. Thus – in its cross-discipline approach – it touches on aspects of photonics, nanofabrication, and biological methods alike.