Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes

In many research fields, the demand for miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection systems has been increasing. This work has developed a compact LIF detector, employing a laser diode as the excitation source and a photodiode as the photodetector with an adjustable laser focal spot, to...

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Main Authors: Zihe Xu, Xi Chen, Fangwu Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/19/6224
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author Zihe Xu
Xi Chen
Fangwu Liu
author_facet Zihe Xu
Xi Chen
Fangwu Liu
author_sort Zihe Xu
collection DOAJ
description In many research fields, the demand for miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection systems has been increasing. This work has developed a compact LIF detector, employing a laser diode as the excitation source and a photodiode as the photodetector with an adjustable laser focal spot, to meet the diverse requirements of various observation targets, such as capillaries, PCR tubes, and microfluidic chips. It features the functionalities of background fluorescence correction, the adaptive adjustment of the dynamic range, and constant power control for the laser. The influence of the excitation power on the detection limit was studied through experiments, and the configuration results for LED/LD as light sources and 487/450 nm wavelengths were compared and optimized. A fully integrated, compact, modular epifluorescence LIF detector was subsequently constructed, measuring 40 × 22 × 38 mm<sup>3</sup> in total size, with a cost of USD 320, and achieving a detection limit of 0.4 nM for fluorescein sodium. Finally, the detector was integrated into a nucleic acid detection system with a microfluidic chip on the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and was also tested with PCR tubes and capillaries, proving its broad practicality and adaptability to various analytical systems.
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spelling doaj-art-1a9d02405ab746f39f85ea760218daa52025-08-20T01:47:34ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-09-012419622410.3390/s24196224Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple PurposesZihe Xu0Xi Chen1Fangwu Liu2Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200083, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaShanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200083, ChinaIn many research fields, the demand for miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection systems has been increasing. This work has developed a compact LIF detector, employing a laser diode as the excitation source and a photodiode as the photodetector with an adjustable laser focal spot, to meet the diverse requirements of various observation targets, such as capillaries, PCR tubes, and microfluidic chips. It features the functionalities of background fluorescence correction, the adaptive adjustment of the dynamic range, and constant power control for the laser. The influence of the excitation power on the detection limit was studied through experiments, and the configuration results for LED/LD as light sources and 487/450 nm wavelengths were compared and optimized. A fully integrated, compact, modular epifluorescence LIF detector was subsequently constructed, measuring 40 × 22 × 38 mm<sup>3</sup> in total size, with a cost of USD 320, and achieving a detection limit of 0.4 nM for fluorescein sodium. Finally, the detector was integrated into a nucleic acid detection system with a microfluidic chip on the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and was also tested with PCR tubes and capillaries, proving its broad practicality and adaptability to various analytical systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/19/6224laser-induced fluorescenceepifluorescenceadjustablehandheldlimit of detection
spellingShingle Zihe Xu
Xi Chen
Fangwu Liu
Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
Sensors
laser-induced fluorescence
epifluorescence
adjustable
handheld
limit of detection
title Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
title_full Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
title_fullStr Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
title_full_unstemmed Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
title_short Compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detector with Adjustable Laser Focal Spot for Multiple Purposes
title_sort compact laser induced fluorescence detector with adjustable laser focal spot for multiple purposes
topic laser-induced fluorescence
epifluorescence
adjustable
handheld
limit of detection
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/19/6224
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AT xichen compactlaserinducedfluorescencedetectorwithadjustablelaserfocalspotformultiplepurposes
AT fangwuliu compactlaserinducedfluorescencedetectorwithadjustablelaserfocalspotformultiplepurposes