Monolithic Capillary Electrophoresis Device with Integrated Fluorescence Detector

A monolithic capillary electrophoresis system with integrated on-chip fluorescence detector has been microfabricated on a silicon substrate. Photodiodes in the silicon substrate measure fluorescence emitted from eluting molecules. The device incorporates an on-chip thin-film interference filter that prevents excitation light from inhibiting the fluorescence detection. A transparent AZO conducting ground plane is also used to prevent the high electric fields used for the separation from interfering with the photodiode response. Separations of DNA restriction fragments have been performed in these devices with femtogram detection limits using SYBR Green I intercalating dye.