Total internal reflection-based module for fluorescence and absorbance detection

We present a miniaturized polymer-based micro-optical detection unit for ultraviolet and visible laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and absorbance (ABS) analysis with an interaction length of 3 mm. We use non-sequential optical ray tracing simulations to model the system and to optimize its performance with respect to optical efficiency and system complexity. The design features a compact optical system combining total internal reflection (TIR) mirrors and refractive optics. The detection module is prototyped with deep proton writing in 2-mm-thick polymethylmethacrylate and quantitatively characterized using a three-dimensional coordinate measurement machine. We demonstrate the proof-of-concept of this TIR mirror-based module for coumarin 480 obtaining limits of detection of 50 pM and 500 nM for LIF and ABS, respectively. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)