Optofluidic microscopy using femtosecond micromachined glass microfluidics

Optofluidic microscopy is a versatile modality for imaging and analyzing particles and their properties in flow. In this paper, we demonstrate the applicability of microfluidic devices fabricated using femtosecond laser machining in fused silica for integration into optofluidic imaging systems. In addition, glass, being chemically inert, robust, and inexpensive, is ideal for field-deployable prototypes. By using glass for the sample handling component of our microscope, we are able to exploit its superior optical quality for imaging and biocompatibility. By integrating these glass microfluidic devices into a custom-built bright field microscope, we have been able to analyze red blood cells in flow with good fidelity.