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Sun N, Gan Y, Wu YJ et al. Single-beam optical trap-based surface-enhanced raman scattering optofluidic molecular fingerprint spectroscopy detection system. Opto-Electron Adv 8, 240182 (2025). doi: 10.29026/oea.2025.240182
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Article Open Access
Single-beam optical trap-based surface-enhanced raman scattering optofluidic molecular fingerprint spectroscopy detection system
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Abstract
In this study, we developed a single-beam optical trap-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) optofluidic molecular fingerprint spectroscopy detection system. This system utilizes a single-beam optical trap to concentrate free silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within an optofluidic chip, significantly enhancing SERS performance. We investigated the optical field distribution characteristics within the tapered fiber using COMSOL simulation software and established a MATLAB simulation model to validate the single-beam optical trap's effectiveness in capturing AgNPs, demonstrating the theoretical feasibility of our approach. To verify the particle capture efficacy of the system, we experimentally controlled the optical trap's on-off state to manage the capture and release of particles precisely. The experimental results indicated that the Raman signal intensity in the capture state was significantly higher than in the non-capture state, confirming that the single-beam optical trap effectively enhances the SERS detection capability of the optofluidic detection system. Furthermore, we employed Raman mapping techniques to investigate the impact of the capture area on the SERS effect, revealing that the spectral intensity of molecular fingerprints in the laser-trapping region is significantly improved. We successfully detected the Raman spectrum of crystal violet at a concentration of 10−9 mol/L and pesticide thiram at a concentration of 10−5 mol/L, further demonstrating the ability of the single-beam optical trap in enhancing the molecular fingerprint spectrum identification capability of the SERS optofluidic chips. The optical trapping SERS optofluidic detection system developed in this study, as a key component of an integrated optoelectronic sensing system, holds the potential for integration with portable high-power lasers and high-performance Raman spectrometers. This integration is expected to advance highly integrated technologies and significantly enhance the overall performance and portability of optoelectronic sensing systems. -
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References
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Supplementary information for Single-beam optical trap-based surfaceenhanced raman scattering optofluidic molecular fingerprint spectroscopy detection system 
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Sun N, Gan Y, Wu YJ et al. Single-beam optical trap-based surface-enhanced raman scattering optofluidic molecular fingerprint spectroscopy detection system. Opto-Electron Adv 8, 240182 (2025). doi: 10.29026/oea.2025.240182
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Figure 1.
(a) Schematic diagram of the optical trapping-enhanced SERS optofluidic detection system. (b) Effect of the single-beam optical trap module switch state on AgNPs aggregation. (c1) and (c2) Operational images of the single-beam optical trap-enhanced SERS optofluidic detection system, demonstrating particle trapping and Raman detection, with (c2) providing an enlarged view of the trapping area in (c1). (d) Schematic diagram of the optical trapping mechanism.
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Figure 2.
(a1, a2) The simulation results of the variation in electric field intensity with distance for the 1550 nm laser emitted from the tapered optical fiber. (b1–b8) Respectively display the electric field intensity distribution at different positions. (c) Electric field distribution of 1550 nm laser emitted by a tapered fiber with a tip diameter of 25 μm in water. (d) Scattering force on 50 nm AgNPs. (e) Gradient force on 50 nm AgNPs. (f) Total force on 50 nm AgNPs. (g) AgNPs are strongly trapped near the tip of the tapered optical fiber. (h) Schematic diagram of the force analysis on AgNPs.
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Figure 3.
(a) Electric field simulation model of 50 nm diameter AgNPs under 532 nm laser excitation with different gaps. (b) Electric field distribution when the gap is 1 nm. Electric field distribution when the gap is (c) 3 nm, (d) 5 nm, (e) 7 nm, (f) 9 nm and (g) 11 nm. (h) The maximal electric field as the gap between AgNPs decreased.
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Figure 4.
Image observed by confocal Raman spectrometer microscope (a) when the single-beam optical trap is closed, with the detection region filled with a homogeneous and stable mixed solution. (b) When the single-beam optical trap is opened, with substances in the mixed solution captured by the optical trap emitted from the tapered fiber optical fiber. (c) Schematic diagram of AgNPs gap when the single-beam optical trap is off and on. (d) Raman spectra of 10−6 mol/L CV obtained by opening and closing the single-beam optical trap of position 7 in (b). (e) Raman characteristic peak intensity at 913, 1177 and 1621 cm−1 in (d). (f) Raman line mapping obtained at different positions when the optical trap is open. (g) Raman characteristic peak intensity at 913 cm−1 in (f).
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Figure 5.
(a) Positions of the Raman mapping. (b) Raman characteristic peak intensity at 913 cm−1 at different positions in (a). (c) Detection limit of the system for CV at a concentration of 10−9 mol/L. (d) Detection limit of the system for thiram at a concentration of 10−5 mol/L.
