A wide-bandwidth power amplifier for frequency-selective insulator-based dielectrophoresis.

Abstract

Insulator-based dielectrophoresis enables contact-less separation and analysis of biosystems, but it is unable to operate effectively in the MHz frequency range, which is necessary for the manipulation of biological cells based on the characteristic electrophysiology of their cytoplasm or biomolecular preconcentration based on their unique conformation. To address the steep drop in output power and the rise of signal distortions within conventional amplifiers at MHz frequencies due to slew rate limitations, we present the design principles for a wideband amplifier. This is validated by demonstrating the absence of harmonic distortions and parasitic DC within the amplifier output up to 15 MHz, thereby enabling analysis of cytoplasmic alterations on oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum, due to constant force dispersion in the MHz range.