Optoelectronics & Microsystems LabOptoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Politecnico di Milano, Dip. Elettronica e Informazione, Milano, Italy

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

STAFFSTAFF• COVA, S. Full Professor

• GHIONI, M. Full Professor

• ZAPPA, F. Associate Professor

• GIUDICE, A. Post-Doc Research Associate

• RECH, I. Post-Doc Research Associate

• LABANCA, I. Research Associate

• GALLIVANONI, A. Research Associate

• TISA, S. Ph.D. Student

• RESTELLI, A. Ph.D. Student

• TOSI, A. Ph.D. Student

• GULINATTI, A. Ph.D. Student

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Core Know-HowCore Know-How

• Microelectronic Detectors and Circuits

• Measurement Techniques and Instrumentation

for detecting and measuring optical signals

with ultra-high sensitivity

and picosecond resolution

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Recent AchievementRecent Achievement

• Ultrasensitive CE-Microchip apparatus for DNA

fragment separationcollaboration with

M. Chiari, CNR Inst. of Chemistry and Molecular Recognition, Milano

Reference:

I. Rech, A. Restelli, S. Cova, M. Ghioni, M. Chiari, ad M. Cretich,

“Microelectronic Photosensors for Genetic Diagnostic Microsystems”

Journal of Sensors and Actuators – B , in press 2004

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

SeparationInjection

Sample

Buffer

Waste

Chip Electrophoresis

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

121416181101121141161181

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

Static measure5ng/ul

0,5ng/ul

0,05ng/ul

100pM oligonucleotide labelled with CY 5

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

0 50 100 150 200Time [Sec.]

Cou

nts

[c/s

]

S/N=35

• CE Separation in glass microchip• run buffer: TAPS-TRIS 100mM pH 8.5.• Sample : 23 mer oligonucleotide labelled with CY 5

• Detection limitDetection limit (@ S/N=3) : (@ S/N=3) : 1pM1pM

corresponds to < 30 molecules in the injection volume of 50pL

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Looking inside the apparatus...

• Compact & low-cost set-up with:• Fully automated operation

• Laser diode excitation of fluorescence

• Controlled chip temperature

• Dual wavelength detection

• Dual HV power supply (0-5kV)

• Confocal optical scheme

• Remote control

• Problem debug via internet

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Looking the apparatus at work in the lab...

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Recent AchievementRecent Achievement

• Microelectronic Single-Photon Detector

for studies on Single-Molecule Dynamics

collaboration with

X. Sunney Xie, Harvard University, Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Reference:

H. Yang, G. Luo, P. Karnchanaphanurach, T.M. Louie, I. Rech, S.Cova, L. Xun, and X. Sunney Xie,

“Single-Molecule Protein Dynamics on Multiple Time Scales Probed by Electron Transfer”, SCIENCE, Oct.10, 2003, Vol.302, 262-266

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Xie’s idea:Measuring the delay of the fluorescence photon with respect to the laser excitationwith picosecond-resolution, good efficiency and low-noise makes possible to probe the Single-Molecule Protein Dynamics by means of a correlation analysis of the delay fluctuations in real time

However:even the best commercially available Photon Counting Modules DO NOT provide adequate performance!

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

SPTM Single Photon Timing Modulefor Single-Molecule Experiments

FWHM=60ps

• High Time-resolution: 60ps • Low Dark Counts: down to 5 c/s• Quantum Detection Efficiency: 45% @ 500nm

• Single power supply +15V• Controlled Temperature (Peltier cell)• Software controlled settings• RS-232 data transmission

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Recent AchievementRecent Achievement

• Non-invasive testing of ULSI Circuits by

Ultrasensitive Picosecond Time-Resolved

Luminescence Measurements

collaboration with

IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY

Reference:Stellari F., Zappa F., Cova S., Porta C., Tsang J.C., "High-Speed CMOS Circuit Testing by 50ps Time-Resolved Luminescence Measurements"IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, 48, 2830-2835 (2001)

S. Cova et al., 2004

POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano, DEI

Optoelectronics & Microsystems Lab

Recent AchievementRecent Achievement

• Photon-Counting Quadrant Detectors and

Electronics for Adaptive Optics Systems of

Advanced Telescopescollaboration with

D.Bonaccini, ESO European Southern Observatory, Garching, D

and R. Biasi, Microgate, Bolzano, I

Reference:development of the STRAP (System for Tip-tilt Removal with Avalanche Photodiodes) for the VLT Observatory, Cerro Paranal, Chile