JP2009097931A - Microchannel fluid visualization method and device using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microchannel fluid visualization method that dispenses with complicated image processings, capable of visualizing the state of fluid flowing in a microchannel, in inexpensive manner, in a small-size, to provide and a device that uses the method. <P>SOLUTION: This device using the microchannel fluid visualization method, capable of visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel, is equipped with the microchannel constituted of a channel wall made of a transparent material, and has a metal film formed on a part of the inner wall surface; an incident optical system for allowing a light having a wide wavelength domain to enter so as to be reflected totally by the metal film, and exciting surface plasmon wave; a polarizer for controlling the polarization direction of the outgoing light in the incident optical system; and a receiving optical system for receiving and photographic reflected light from the metal film. In the device, many fine particles are mixed into the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and the light intensity of the reflected light is observed as time series. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a micro-channel fluid visualization method and apparatus for visualizing the status of a fluid flowing in a micro-channel, and in particular, visualizes the status of a fluid flowing in a micro-channel in a small and inexpensive manner that does not require complicated image processing. The present invention relates to a microchannel fluid visualization method and an apparatus using the same.

  Prior art documents related to a conventional method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel include the following.

JP 2003-232725 A Special table 2003-322659 gazette JP 2004-028660 A JP 2005-283556 A JP 2006-058321 A JP 2007-010524 A

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of an apparatus using a conventional method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel. In particular, the conventional example shown in FIG. 15 is PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry) that visualizes the state of a fluid by continuously photographing and analyzing fluorescence emission of a fluorescent substance flowing in the fluid.

  In FIG. 15, 1 is a laser light source that emits laser light, 2 is a mirror, 3 is a microchip with a microchannel formed, 4 is an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices) camera, and 5 is imaged. An arithmetic processing means such as a computer for processing and analyzing images.

  Laser light, which is output light from the laser light source 1, is reflected by the mirror 2 and applied to a microchannel formed in the microchip 3. In addition, the fluorescence generated in the microchannel formed in the microchip 3 is incident on the imaging unit 4, and the image information that is the output of the imaging unit 4 is supplied to the arithmetic processing unit 5.

  Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 15 will be described. A fluid in which a large number of fluorescent substances (microparticles) are mixed flows through a microchannel formed in the microchip 3 by means (not shown). In addition, a large number of fluorescent materials flowing through the microchannels are irradiated with laser light to emit fluorescence.

  For this reason, a large number of fluorescent substances flow in the microchannel according to the flow of the fluid while emitting fluorescence.

  Then, an image of the fluorescence emission state of the fluorescent material is taken in time series by the imaging means 4 and the image processing is analyzed by the arithmetic processing means 5, so that the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel formed in the microchip is determined. Visualize in time series.

  As a result, a fluid in which a large number of fluorescent substances (microparticles) are mixed is allowed to flow through the microchannel and laser light is irradiated, and images of the fluorescence emission status of the fluorescent substances generated by laser light irradiation are taken in time series. By analyzing the image, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel.

  However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 15, the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material is weak, and in order to capture such weak fluorescence, a high-intensity and large-scale laser light source, a highly sensitive imaging means, and the like are required. There was a problem that it would be an expensive and large device.

  Further, since the excitation wavelength of the laser light irradiated by the fluorescent material is different, there is a problem that a laser light source must be selected for each fluorescent material to be used.

  In addition, since the fluorescence emission occurs in all the areas where the laser light is transmitted, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the entire microchannel, but it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the layer of a certain depth. Have difficulty.

Certainly, it is possible to visualize the state of fluid flowing in a layer of a certain depth by performing complex image processing or using a confocal microscope, but the apparatus becomes large and expensive. There was a problem that said.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a micro-channel fluid visualization method and an apparatus using the same that visualize the state of fluid flowing in the micro-channel in a small and inexpensive manner that does not require complicated image processing. It is in.

In order to achieve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
In the apparatus using the micro-channel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the micro-channel,
A micro-channel with a metal film formed on a part of the inner wall surface, which is composed of a transparent channel wall, and a light having a wide wavelength range are incident so as to be totally reflected by the metal film to excite surface plasmon waves. A fluid that flows through the minute flow path, comprising an incident optical system, a polarizer that controls the polarization direction of light emitted from the incident optical system, and a light receiving optical system that receives and captures the reflected light from the metal film By mixing a large number of microparticles and observing the light intensity of the reflected light in time series, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner without the need for complicated image processing. Become.

The invention according to claim 2
The device according to claim 1,
The fine particles are
Since the dielectric fine particles are used, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the minute flow path at a low cost and without complicated image processing.

The invention described in claim 3
The device according to claim 1,
The fine particles are
By being a metal microparticle, complicated image processing is not required, and it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner.

The invention according to claim 4
In the apparatus using the micro-channel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the micro-channel,
A micro-channel with a metal film formed on a part of the inner wall surface, which is composed of a transparent channel wall, and a light having a wide wavelength range are incident so as to be totally reflected by the metal film to excite surface plasmon waves. A fluid that flows through the microchannel, including an incident optical system, a polarizer that controls the polarization direction of the light emitted from the incident optical system, and a light receiving optical system that receives and captures fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film By mixing a large number of fluorescent microparticles and observing the light intensity of the fluorescence in time series, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner, without complicated image processing. Become.

The invention according to claim 5
The device according to claim 4,
Since the inside of the fluorescent microparticle is a metal body, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner without requiring complicated image processing.

The invention described in claim 6
A microchannel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel,
A large number of microparticles are mixed in the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel, and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film, so that surface plasmon waves are transmitted to the metal in the microchannel. It becomes possible to observe the light intensity of the reflected light in time series by exciting the film surface.

The invention described in claim 7
A microchannel fluid visualization method according to claim 6,
The fine particles are
Since the dielectric fine particles are used, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the minute flow path at a low cost and without complicated image processing.

The invention described in claim 8
A microchannel fluid visualization method according to claim 6,
The fine particles are
By being a metal microparticle, complicated image processing is not required, and it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner.

The invention according to claim 9
A microchannel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel,
A large number of fluorescent microparticles are mixed in the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film. Visualizes the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner without complicated image processing by exciting the metal film surface and observing the light intensity of the fluorescence generated on the metal film surface in time series It becomes possible.

The invention according to claim 10 is:
A microchannel fluid visualization method according to claim 9,
Since the inside of the fluorescent microparticle is a metal body, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner without requiring complicated image processing.

The present invention has the following effects.
According to the first, second, third, sixth, seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, a large number of microparticles are mixed in the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel to form the metal film. Light is incident so that it is totally reflected, surface plasmon waves are excited on the surface of the metal film in the microchannel, and the light intensity of the reflected light is observed in time series, which eliminates the need for complicated image processing and is inexpensive. It becomes possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small size.

  According to the fourth, fifth, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, a large number of fine particles are mixed with the fluid flowing in the fine flow path, and a metal film is formed in the fine flow path so that the entire metal film is formed. Light is incident so as to be reflected, and surface plasmon waves are excited on the surface of the metal film in the microchannel to observe the light intensity of the fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film in time series, eliminating the need for complicated image processing. It is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing through the microchannel in a small and inexpensive manner.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an apparatus using a microchannel fluid visualization method according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 1, the microchannel is shown as a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the microchannel.

  In FIG. 1, 6 and 7 are flow path walls made of a transparent material (for example, quartz or glass) constituting a micro flow path, 8 is a metal film formed on the surface of the flow path wall 7, and 9 is white light or the like. Incident optical system such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits light in a wide wavelength region, 10 is a polarizer that controls the polarization direction of light, 11 is a prism, 12 is a general-purpose CCD that receives reflected light and performs signal processing. It is a light receiving optical system such as a camera.

  A metal film 8 for exciting surface plasmon resonance is formed on the surface of the flow path wall 7 in the micro flow path constituted by the flow path walls 6 and 7. Further, the prism 11 is fixed so that the bottom side of the prism 11 is in close contact with the outside of the flow path wall 7 on which the metal film 8 is formed.

  On the other hand, the output light of the incident optical system 9 enters the polarizer 10, and the p-polarized light emitted from the polarizer 10 passes through the prism 11 and the transparent flow path wall 7 and enters the metal film 8. The reflected light from the metal film 8 passes through the transparent flow path wall 7 and the prism 11 and enters the light receiving optical system 12.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction to the micro flow path. The two micro flow paths indicated by “WC11” and “WC12” in FIG. 2 merge at the position indicated by “PT11” in FIG. 2, a so-called Y-shaped microchannel, which is a microchannel indicated by “WC13”, is formed.

  For example, fluids of different components are introduced from the two inlets indicated by “IN11” and “IN12” in FIG. 2, and a reaction is caused at the junction indicated by “PT11” in FIG. 2, to “OT11” in FIG. Product can be collected from the outlet shown.

  Further, it is assumed that the portion where the metal film shown in FIG. 1 is formed and on which light is incident and reflected is a part of the minute flow path “WC13” as indicated by “RG13” in FIG.

  Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the situation around the metal film in the microchannel, FIG. 4 is a characteristic curve diagram showing the spectrum of the output light of the incident optical system 9, and FIGS. FIG. 9 is a characteristic curve diagram showing a spectrum of reflected light from the metal film. 3, 6 and 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are given.

  The output light from the incident optical system 9 is incident on the metal film 8 at an angle “θ” that satisfies the total reflection condition, and is totally reflected. At this time, the surface plasmon wave as shown by “SP01” in FIG. 1 is excited by the energy of the incident light.

  The surface plasmon wave is an evanescent wave that oozes out from the surface of the metal film 8 (behind the incident surface of incident light and inside the microchannel: hereinafter simply referred to as the surface of the metal film) to a wavelength. It interacts with substances present in the vicinity of the surface of the metal film 8.

  For example, the fluid flowing in the microchannel is mixed with a large number of microparticles indicated by “PT01” in FIG. 1, and “PT02” in FIG. 1 exists in the vicinity of the surface plasmon wave indicated by “SP01” in FIG. This causes an interaction with the fine particles shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a situation where there are no microparticles on the surface of the metal film 8. Since the surface plasmon wave indicated by “SP21” in FIG. 3 and the microparticles are not close to each other, “LQ21” in FIG. Interaction with the fluid flowing in the microchannel shown in FIG.

  Under such circumstances, when light having a spectrum as indicated by “CH31” in FIG. 4 is incident on the metal film 8, the light-receiving optical system 12 reflects the spectrum of reflected light as indicated by “CH41” in FIG. Can be obtained.

  For example, “CH41” in FIG. 5 has an incident angle “θ = 70 degrees”, a metal film “Au”, a film thickness “50 nm”, a channel wall refractive index “1.51509”, and a fluid refractive index “1.333”. Is the spectrum of the reflected light.

  As can be seen from “CH41” in FIG. 5, it has the characteristic of causing the largest optical attenuation at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL41” in FIG. Therefore, the presence or absence of the fluid indicated by “LQ21” in FIG. 3 in the vicinity of the metal film 8 can be determined based on the presence or absence of light attenuation at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL41” in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a situation where microparticles, particularly dielectric microparticles, are present on the surface of the metal film 8. The surface plasmon wave indicated by “SP51” in FIG. 6 is indicated by “PT51” in FIG. Since the dielectric microparticles shown are close to each other, an interaction occurs between the dielectric microparticles indicated by “PT51” in FIG. 6 and the fluid flowing in the microchannel indicated by “LQ51” in FIG. It will be.

  Under such circumstances, when light having a spectrum as indicated by “CH31” in FIG. 4 is incident on the metal film 8, the light-receiving optical system 12 reflects the spectrum of reflected light as indicated by “CH61” in FIG. Can be obtained.

  For example, when the refractive index of the dielectric versus fine particles is larger than the refractive index of the flow path wall, the surface plasmon wave is not excited and no light attenuation occurs, so the spectrum of reflected light as shown by “CH61” in FIG. Can be obtained.

  In this case, in addition to observing the magnitude of light attenuation at the resonance wavelength, the state of the fluid in the vicinity of the metal film 8 can be grasped with higher contrast by using the light intensity in the entire spectrum.

  In addition, for example, when the refractive index of the dielectric pair microparticles is smaller than the refractive index of the flow path wall, the surface plasmon wave is excited and light attenuation occurs at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL61” in FIG. A spectrum of reflected light as indicated by “CH62” in FIG. 7 can be obtained.

  In this case, by observing the fluctuation of the light intensity at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) of the fluid indicated by “WL62” in FIG. 7 and the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL61” in FIG. The situation of the fluid can be grasped.

  For example, when there are no dielectric fine particles (having a refractive index smaller than the refractive index of the channel wall) in the vicinity of the metal film 8, light attenuation is performed at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL62” in FIG. When dielectric fine particles (having a refractive index smaller than the refractive index of the channel wall) are present in the vicinity of the metal film 8, the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL61” in FIG. Since light attenuation is observed, the movement of the dielectric fine particles (fluid) in the vicinity of the metal film 8 can be grasped.

  Furthermore, for example, when the refractive index of the dielectric pair microparticles is smaller than the refractive index of the flow path wall, and the dielectric microparticles are present at a position slightly away from the metal film, the surface plasmon wave is excited, It is possible to obtain a spectrum of reflected light having both the characteristic when only the fluid indicated by “CH63” in FIG. 7 is present and the characteristic indicated by “CH62” in FIG.

  In this case, by observing the ratio of the light intensity at the wavelength (resonance wavelength) of the fluid indicated by “WL62” in FIG. 7 and the wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by “WL61” in FIG. The situation of the fluid can be grasped.

  FIG. 8 shows a situation where fine particles, in particular, metal fine particles are present on the surface of the metal film 8, and the surface plasmon wave indicated by “SP71” in FIG. 8 shows “PT71” in FIG. Since the metal microparticles shown in FIG. 8 are close to each other, an interaction occurs between the metal microparticles shown in “PT71” in FIG. 8 and the fluid flowing in the microchannel shown in “LQ71” in FIG. become.

  Under such circumstances, when light having a spectrum as indicated by “CH31” in FIG. 4 is incident on the metal film 8, the light receiving optical system 12 reflects the spectrum of reflected light as indicated by “CH81” in FIG. Can be obtained.

  For example, since the electric field enhancement of the surface plasmon wave occurs when the metal fine particles approach the metal film 8, the electric field of the surface plasmon wave shown in “CH82” in FIG. At the fluid wavelength (resonance wavelength) indicated by WL81 ″, large light attenuation occurs.

  In this case, the state of the fluid in the vicinity of the metal film 8 can be grasped with higher contrast by observing not only the increase / decrease of the light attenuation at the resonance wavelength but also the light intensity in the entire wavelength region of the spectrum.

  As a result, a large number of micro particles are mixed with the fluid flowing in the micro flow channel, and a metal film is formed in the micro flow channel, and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film, so that the surface plasmon wave is transmitted to the micro flow channel. By observing reflected light by exciting the surface of the inner metal film, it is possible to grasp the movement of fine particles (fluid) in the vicinity of the metal film.

  Moreover, a brighter fluorescence spectrum can be obtained by using such an electric field enhancement of the surface plasmon wave.

  FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the apparatus using the microchannel fluid visualization method according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 1, the microchannel is shown as a cross-sectional view in the direction perpendicular to the microchannel, and observes fluorescence generated by light attenuation.

  In FIG. 10, 13 is an incident optical system that emits light in a wide wavelength region such as white light, 14 is a polarizer that controls the polarization direction of light, and 15 is a channel wall made of a transparent material (for example, quartz or glass). 1 is a microchannel (same as the microchannel shown in FIG. 1) in which a metal film is formed on a part of the inner wall surface, and 16 is a CCD camera or the like that receives and shoots fluorescence generated in the microchannel This is a light receiving optical system.

  The output light of the incident optical system 13 enters the polarizer 14, and the p-polarized light emitted from the polarizer 14 passes through the transparent flow path wall and enters the metal film. Fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film (inside the microchannel) passes through the transparent channel wall and enters the light receiving optical system 16.

  Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the situation around the metal film in the microchannel, and FIG. 12 is a characteristic curve diagram showing the spectrum of fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film (inside the microchannel). In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The output light from the incident optical system 13 is incident on the metal film at an angle “θ” that satisfies the total reflection condition, and is totally reflected. At this time, the surface plasmon wave is excited by the energy of the incident light.

  FIG. 11 shows a situation where microparticles, particularly fluorescent microparticles whose inside is a metal body, are present on the surface of the metal film 8, and the surface plasmon wave indicated by “SP91” in FIG. Since the fluorescent microparticles indicated by “PT91” in the middle are close to each other, the fluorescent microparticles indicated by “PT91” in FIG. 11 and the fluid flowing in the microchannel indicated by “LQ91” in FIG. This will produce an effect.

  Under such circumstances, when light having a spectrum as indicated by “CH31” in FIG. 4 is incident on the metal film 8, the light receiving optical system 16 generates a fluorescence spectrum as indicated by “CH101” in FIG. Obtainable.

  For example, since the electric field enhancement of the surface plasmon wave occurs when the fluorescent fine particles whose inside is the metal body approaches the metal film 8, compared with the case where there is no electric field enhancement of the surface plasmon wave indicated by “CH102” in FIG. Thus, as shown by “CH101” in FIG. 12, a large fluorescence spectrum is generated.

  In this case, by observing the light intensity of the brighter fluorescence spectrum by enhancing the electric field of the surface plasmon wave, the state of the fluid near the metal film 8 can be grasped with higher contrast.

  As a result, a large number of microparticles (fluorescent microparticles whose inside is a metal body) are mixed with the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel so that the light is totally reflected on the metal film. To detect the movement of microparticles (fluids) near the metal film by exciting surface plasmon waves on the metal film surface in the microchannel and observing the fluorescence generated on the metal film surface Can do.

  Therefore, the method of visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the micro flow path by grasping the movement of the micro particles (fluid) in the vicinity of the metal film in this way will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. To do. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view in the direction horizontal to the microchannel, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of an image obtained by the light receiving optical system.

  For example, when the light intensity of the reflected light in the region indicated by “PR111” in FIG. 13 is displayed as an image, it is as shown in FIG. 14A or FIG. 14B. FIG. 14A shows an image at a certain time, and FIG. 14B shows an image after a certain time has elapsed.

  FIG. 14 shows the light intensity of each cell by dividing the image into 8 × 8 cells, and indicates that the reflected light is brighter (the light intensity is stronger) as it becomes whiter. Further, “◯” in FIG. 14 indicates a microparticle, and an arrow indicates a direction in which the microparticle flows (or a direction in which the microparticle flows).

  The surface plasmon wave is not excited in the portion where the microparticles exist, in other words, no optical attenuation occurs in the reflected light, and the high intensity becomes strong.

  Then, such intensity of light intensity changes (moves) in time series according to the flow of the fluid. Therefore, the intensity of such reflected light is observed in the image in time series. This makes it possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel.

  As a result, a large number of micro particles are mixed with the fluid flowing in the micro flow channel, and a metal film is formed in the micro flow channel, and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film, so that the surface plasmon wave is transmitted to the micro flow channel. By observing the light intensity of the reflected light in time series by exciting the surface of the inner metal film, it is possible to visualize the state of the fluid flowing in the microchannel.

  In addition, since it can be composed of LEDs, general-purpose CCDs, etc., there is no need for a high-intensity, large-sized laser light source, high-sensitivity imaging means, etc., and it is possible to reduce the size at low cost. Since it is an evanescent wave that oozes about a wavelength, it is possible to visualize the state of a fluid flowing in a layer of a certain depth without performing complicated image processing.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the reflected light is observed by forming a metal film 8 for exciting surface plasmon resonance on the surface of the flow path wall 7. Reflected light may be observed by forming a metal film for exciting surface plasmon resonance on the surface of a certain channel wall 6. In other words, the reflected light may be observed by forming a metal film at a plurality of locations in the microchannel.

  Further, in the description using FIGS. 13 and 14, it is described that the light intensity of the reflected light in the region indicated by “PR111” in FIG. 13 is displayed as an image, but the region indicated by “PR111” in FIG. Of course, the fluorescence light intensity may be displayed and observed as an image, or the fluorescence may be observed by forming a metal film at a plurality of locations in the microchannel.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, “Au” is exemplified as the metal film, but any metal capable of exciting a surface plasmon wave such as silver or aluminum may be used.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a prism is illustrated, but it is not an essential component.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an LED that emits light in a wide wavelength region such as white light is exemplified as the incident optical system, but a halogen lamp or the like may be used. Further, it may be continuous light or pulsed light.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Example of the apparatus using the microchannel fluid visualization method which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of a direction horizontal to a microchannel. It is explanatory drawing explaining the condition of the periphery of the metal film in a microchannel. It is a characteristic curve figure which shows the spectrum of the output light of an incident optical system. It is a characteristic curve figure which shows the spectrum of the reflected light from a metal film. It is explanatory drawing explaining the condition of the periphery of the metal film in a microchannel. It is a characteristic curve figure which shows the spectrum of the reflected light from a metal film. It is explanatory drawing explaining the condition of the periphery of the metal film in a microchannel. It is a characteristic curve figure which shows the spectrum of the reflected light from a metal film. It is sectional drawing which shows the other Example of the apparatus using the microchannel fluid visualization method which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the condition of the periphery of the metal film in a microchannel. It is a characteristic curve figure which shows the spectrum of the fluorescence produced on the surface of the metal film. It is sectional drawing of a direction horizontal to a microchannel. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image obtained with the light reception optical system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the apparatus using the method of visualizing the condition of the fluid which flows through the conventional microchannel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser light source 2 Mirror 3 Microchip 4 Imaging means 5 Arithmetic processing means 6,7 Channel wall 8 Metal film 9,13 Incident optical system 10,14 Polarizer 11 Prism 12,16 Light receiving optical system 15 Microchannel

Claims (10)

In the apparatus using the micro-channel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the micro-channel,
A micro-channel having a metal film formed on a part of the inner wall surface, which is composed of a channel wall made of a transparent material;
An incident optical system for exciting a surface plasmon wave by making light of a wide wavelength region incident so as to be totally reflected by the metal film;
A polarizer for controlling the polarization direction of the light emitted from the incident optical system;
A light receiving optical system for receiving and photographing reflected light from the metal film,
An apparatus characterized by mixing a large number of microparticles in a fluid flowing in the microchannel and observing the light intensity of the reflected light in time series. The fine particles are
The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a dielectric fine particle. The fine particles are
The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a metal microparticle. In the apparatus using the micro-channel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of the fluid flowing in the micro-channel,
A micro-channel having a metal film formed on a part of the inner wall surface, which is composed of a channel wall made of a transparent material;
An incident optical system for exciting a surface plasmon wave by making light of a wide wavelength region incident so as to be totally reflected by the metal film;
A polarizer for controlling the polarization direction of the light emitted from the incident optical system;
A light receiving optical system for receiving and photographing fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film,
An apparatus characterized in that a large number of fluorescent microparticles are mixed in a fluid flowing in the microchannel and the light intensity of the fluorescence is observed in time series. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inside of the fluorescent microparticle is a metal body. A microchannel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel,
A large number of microparticles are mixed in the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel, and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film, so that surface plasmon waves are transmitted to the metal in the microchannel. A method of visualizing a microfluidic fluid characterized by observing the light intensity of reflected light in time series by exciting the film surface. The fine particles are
The method of visualizing a microchannel fluid according to claim 6, wherein the microchannel fluid is a dielectric microparticle. The fine particles are
The method for visualizing a microchannel fluid according to claim 6, wherein the microchannel fluid is a metal microparticle. A microchannel fluid visualization method for visualizing the state of a fluid flowing in a microchannel,
A large number of fluorescent microparticles are mixed in the fluid flowing in the microchannel, and a metal film is formed in the microchannel and light is incident so as to be totally reflected on the metal film. A method for visualizing a microfluidic fluid characterized by observing light intensity of fluorescence generated on a metal film surface in a time series by being excited on the metal film surface. The method for visualizing a microchannel fluid according to claim 9, wherein the inside of the fluorescent microparticle is a metal body.