Biomedical subjects

Aaron R Hawkins

Publications and source records attributed to Aaron R Hawkins.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Single-molecule detection sensitivity using planar integrated optics on a chip.

We present a fully planar integrated optical approach to single-molecule detection based on microfabricated planar networks of intersecting solid and liquid-core waveguides. We study fluorescence from dye molecules in liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides, and demonstrate subpicoliter excitation volumes, parallel excitation through multiple pump waveguides, and single-molecule detection sensitivity. Integrated silicon photonics combined with single-molecule detection in solution create a compact, robust, and sensitive platform that has applications in numerous fields ranging from atomic physics to the life sciences.

Biopolymers↗

PubMed2006

Surface-relief fiber Bragg gratings for sensing applications.

We present a new type of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in which we etch the grating into the flat surface of a D-shaped optical fiber. Instead of being written in the core of the fiber, as are standard FBGs, these surface-relief FBGs are placed in the cladding above the core. These gratings are a viable alternative to standard FBGs for sensing applications. We describe the fabrication process for etching Bragg gratings into the surface of D-fibers and demonstrate their performance as temperature sensors.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed2006

Sacrificial layer microfluidic device fabrication methods.

Over the past 15 years, research in the field of microfluidics has experienced rapid growth due to significant potential advantages such as low cost, short analysis times, and elimination of sources of contamination. Although etched and thermally bonded glass substrates have seen widespread use and offer solid performance, device fabrication still remains cumbersome. Recent advances in sacrificial layer microfabrication methods for microfluidics have overcome many disadvantages of conventional fabrication approaches. Phase-changing sacrificial layers have been implemented in making inexpensive and high-performance polymer microchips for electrophoretic analysis, protein focusing, and sample preconcentration. In addition, novel channel fabrication methods based on standard thin-film processes, which are readily integratable with microfabrication techniques used for electrical components, are being applied increasingly for the creation of microfluidic devices. These new sacrificial layer fabrication approaches will be instrumental in making low-cost and high-quality polymer microchips, and in interfacing electrical and fluidic systems on glass or semiconductor substrates.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2006

Magneto-optical observation of picosecond dynamics of single nanomagnets.

We report measurements of picosecond dynamics of individual nickel nanomagnets as a function of magnet dimension, aspect ratio, and magnetic environment. Spatial sensitivity to nanomagnet diameters as small as 125 nm is achieved by use of cavity enhancement of the magneto-optic Kerr effect (CE-MOKE). The importance of single-particle measurements without ensemble effects for extracting the size dependence of the intrinsic nanomagnet material properties is demonstrated.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Simple linear models of scanning impedance imaging for fast reconstruction of relative conductivity of biological samples.

Scanning impedance imaging (SH) uses a noncontacting electrical probe held at a known voltage and scanned over a thin sample on a ground plane in a conductive medium to obtain images of current. The current image is related in a nonlinear way to the conductivity of the sample. This paper develops the theory behind SII showing how the measured current relates to the desired conductivity. Also included is the development of a simplified, linear model that is effective in explaining many of the experimental results. Good agreement of the linear model with step-response data over an insulator is shown. The linear model shows that the current is a blurred version of the conductivity. Simple deblurring methods can, therefore, be applied to obtain relative conductivity images from the raw current data. Raw SII data from a flower-petal and a leaf sample are shown as well as relative conductivity images deblurred using the linear model.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Cavity-enhanced magnetooptical observation of magnetization reversal in individual single-domain nanomagnets.

Optical studies of nanoscale magnets promise access to ultrafast magnetization dynamics but are challenging because of limited spatial resolution. We demonstrate that cavity enhancement of the magnetooptical Kerr effect increases the sensitivity in nanomagnetooptics significantly. Magnetization switching in individual single-domain magnets in both far-field and near-field Kerr microscopy is observed, and scaling laws are determined. Near-field signals remain nearly constant with reduced magnet diameter, indicating favorable scaling of near-field magnetooptics into the deep nanometer range.

Computer Simulation↗