Towards ultrasound enhanced mid-IR spectroscopy for sensing bacteria in aqueous solutions

Stephan Freitag; Andreas Schwaighofer; Stefan Radel; Bernhard Lendl

doi:10.1117/12.2290390

19 February 2018 Towards ultrasound enhanced mid-IR spectroscopy for sensing bacteria in aqueous solutions

Stephan Freitag, Andreas Schwaighofer, Stefan Radel, Bernhard Lendl

Proceedings Volume 10491, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XVI; 104910M (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2290390
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We employ attenuated total reflection (ATR) mid-IR technology for sensing of bacteria present in aqueous solution. In ATR spectroscopy, the penetration depth of the evanescent field extends to approx. 1-2 micrometers into the aqueous solution depending on the refractive index of the employed materials (Si, ZnS, Ge) used as attenuated total reflection (ATR) element and the geometry of the optical set-up. Due to the flow profile in the microfluidic cell, an additional force is required to bring particles into the evanescent field for measurement. For that purpose, we employ standing ultrasound waves produced between a sound source vibrating at approx. 2 MHz and the ATR crystal acting as a reflector. This ultrasonic trap is integrated into the microfluidic channel. As aqueous solution is passing through that acoustofluidic cell, particles are concentrated in the nodal plane of the standing ultrasound wave, forming particle conglomerates. By selecting appropriate experimental conditions, it is then possible to press bacteria against the crystal surface for interaction with the evanescent wave (as well as to keep them away from the ATR element). Our current work aims at establishing a custommade US-ATR-IR setup for signal enhancement of bacteria (e.g. E. coli, P. aeruginosa as well as Salmonella) in drinking water.

Conference Presentation

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Stephan Freitag, Andreas Schwaighofer, Stefan Radel, and Bernhard Lendl "Towards ultrasound enhanced mid-IR spectroscopy for sensing bacteria in aqueous solutions", Proc. SPIE 10491, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XVI, 104910M (19 February 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2290390

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