[Illinois] ECE 416 Fluorescence II

By Brian Cunningham

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Abstract

           In this lecture, we start with a revision of the common organic dyes and the photostability and quenching concepts. Quenching is then discussed in more detail and the difference between self-quenching and external quenching. Instrumentation for fluorescence are then discussed and they need a source of light, the sample, the wavelength filter, and the emission detector. The different light sources are then discussed and the pros and cons of each. Tungsten lamps, xenon lamps, and mercury-xenon lamps are all discussed. However, lasers are the most important light source for measuring fluorescence as they are single wavelength, low power, compact, and having high intensity over one band of wavelength.

Bio

My research group is focused on the application of sub-wavelength optical phenomena and fabrication methods to the development of novel devices and instrumentation for the life sciences. The group is highly interdisciplinary, with expertise in the areas of microfabrication, nanotechnology, computer simulation, instrumentation, molecular biology, and cell biology. In particular, we are working on biosensors based upon photonic crystal concepts that can either be built from low-cost flexible plastic materials, or integrated with semiconductor-based active devices, such as light sources and photodetectors, for high performance integrated detection systems.

Using a combination of micrometer-scale and nanometer-scale fabrication tools, we are devising novel methods and materials for producing electro-optic devices with nanometer-scale features that can be scaled for low-cost manufacturing. Many of our techniques are geared for compatibility with flexible plastic materials, leading to applications such as low cost disposable sensors, wearable sensors, flexible electronics, and flexible displays. Because our structures manipulate light at a scale that is smaller than an optical wavelength, we rely on computer simulation tools such as Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) and Finite Difference Time Doman (FDTD) to model, design, and understand optical phenomena within photonic crystals and related devices.

In addition to fabricating devices, our group is also focused on the design, prototyping, and testing of biosensor instrumentation for high sensitivity, portability, and resolution. Advanced instruments enable high resolution imaging of biochemical and cellular interactions with the ability to monitor images of biochemical interactions as a function of time. Using the sensors and instrumentation, we are exploring new applications for optical biosensor technology including protein microarrays, biosensor/mass spectrometry systems, and microfluidics-based assays using nanoliter quantities of reagents. The methods and systems developed in the laboratory are applied in the fields of life science research, drug discovery, diagnostic testing, and environmental monitoring. -From Professor Cunningham's Faculty Profile

Cite this work

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

  • Brian Cunningham (2013), "[Illinois] ECE 416 Fluorescence II," https://nanohub.org/resources/17359.

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Submitter

NanoBio Node, Obaid Sarvana, George Michael Daley

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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