Determination of the Dielectrophoretic Force Induced by the Photovoltaic Effect on Lithium Niobate.

ABSTRACT: The actuation of droplets on a surface is extremely relevant for microfluidic applications. In recent years, various methodologies have been used. A promising solution relies on iron-doped lithium niobate crystals that, when illuminated, generate an evanescent electric field in the surrounding space due to the photovoltaic effect. This field can be successfully exploited to control the motion of water droplets. Here, we present an experimental method to determine the attractive force exerted by the evanescent field. It consists of the analysis of the elongation of a pendant droplet and its detachment from the suspending syringe needle, caused by the illumination of an iron-doped lithium niobate crystal. We show that this interaction resembles that obtained by applying a voltage between the

SUBMITTER: Meggiolaro A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8875925 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature