Abstract: Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates may be fabricated using a shadow mask assisted evaporation (SMAE) method to provide for enhanced detection sensitivity with respect to target molecules that are located upon, and sensitized by, the SERS enhanced substrates. Such SERS substrates provide a two dimensional array of repeating nanostructures that may include, but are not limited to nano-pillar, nano-nib, nano-elliptical cylinder and nano-triangular tip nanostructures, any of which may be augmented with gold nanospheres. The particular SERS enhanced substrates in accordance with the embodiments, in particular when augmented with gold nanospheres, provide desirably enhanced sensitivity.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optofluidic apparatus includes a microfluidic chip including a microfluidic channel further including an inlet for a liquid core waveguide fluid; a channel pathway for the liquid core waveguide fluid; a plurality of non-core waveguide fluid inlets; a switching chamber having a larger cross sectional area than the channel pathway; and an outlet for the liquid core waveguide fluid and non-core waveguide fluid, further including a plurality of non-liquid core waveguides disposed in the switching chamber. Light input to the apparatus propagates in the liquid core/liquid cladding (liquid) waveguide. The path of the liquid waveguide can be steered in a region of the apparatus over one of the non-liquid core waveguides such that the light is end-fire- or evanescently-coupled into the non-liquid core waveguide and output therefrom or between two of the non-liquid core waveguides and not coupled or output. Associated optofluidic switching methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates may be fabricated using a shadow mask assisted evaporation (SMAE) method to provide for enhanced detection sensitivity with respect to target molecules that are located upon, and sensitized by, the SERS enhanced substrates. Such SERS substrates provide a two dimensional array of repeating nanostructures that may include, but are not limited to nano-pillar, nano-nib, nano-elliptical cylinder and nano-triangular tip nanostructures, any of which may be augmented with gold nanospheres. The particular SERS enhanced substrates in accordance with the embodiments, in particular when augmented with gold nanospheres, provide desirably enhanced sensitivity.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optofluidic apparatus includes a microfluidic chip including a microfluidic channel further including an inlet for a liquid core waveguide fluid; a channel pathway for the liquid core waveguide fluid; a plurality of non-core waveguide fluid inlets; a switching chamber having a larger cross sectional area than the channel pathway; and an outlet for the liquid core waveguide fluid and non-core waveguide fluid, further including a plurality of non-liquid core waveguides disposed in the switching chamber. Light input to the apparatus propagates in the liquid core/liquid cladding (liquid) waveguide. The path of the liquid waveguide can be steered in a region of the apparatus over one of the non-liquid core waveguides such that the light is end-fire- or evanescently-coupled into the non-liquid core waveguide and output therefrom or between two of the non-liquid core waveguides and not coupled or output. Associated optofluidic switching methods are disclosed.