Affiliation:
1. Physics and Astronomy Department “Galileo Galilei” University of Padua Via Marzolo 8 Padova 35131 Italy
2. Institute of Applied Physics University of Münster Corrensstr. 2/4 48149 Münster Germany
Abstract
AbstractIn this work, droplets elongation as a result of the photo‐induced photovoltaic electric field is presented and modeled. Moving water droplets are generated in microfluidics channels by means of a droplet‐based opto‐microfluidic platform integrated in lithium niobate (LN). A cross‐junction is engraved on the substrate as droplets generator, on top of which a z‐cut iron‐doped lithium niobate (Fe:LN) crystal is placed in order to build up photo‐induced electric field as a result of photovoltaic effect promoted upon suitable illumination. Droplets detection is realized by optical waveguides, designed in a Mach‐Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) configuration on the same substrate. The dynamics of droplet elongation is investigated, highlighting the impact of the photovoltaic electric field on the droplet dimension and surface tension.
Funder
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca