Analyzing the Optical Properties of Hemozoin to Expand the Disease Detection Applications of a Magneto-Optical Device (MOD)

Author

Kyle Blasinsky, John Carroll UniversityFollow

Date of Award

2021

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Dr. Danielle Kara

Abstract

Hemozoin crystals are the basis of a new approach for efficient, cost-effective malaria detection. Clinical success of malaria detection with a magneto-optical device (MOD) motivates quantification of the optical interactions forming the basis of the detection mechanism. The MOD is used to measure the intensity of polarized light transmitted through a sample of hemozoin suspended in phosphate-buffered saline, subject to a magnetic field, 𝐵􁈬 ⃗, that can be turned on and off. According to Beer’s law, ratios of transmitted light with different polarization directions and with on and off as a function of hemozoin concentration were related to change in absorption cross section, Δ 𝜎, an important property for quantifying optical interactions. Using two methods, Δ𝜎 was uniquely determined, producing similar results, supporting the physical and mathematical theory used to understand MOD’s detection mechanism. Successful quantification of Δ𝜎 informs our understanding of the magneto-optical properties of hemozoin, which advances malaria detection, and expands potential applications of the MOD.

Recommended Citation

Blasinsky, Kyle, "Analyzing the Optical Properties of Hemozoin to Expand the Disease Detection Applications of a Magneto-Optical Device (MOD)" (2021). Senior Honors Projects. 130.
https://collected.jcu.edu/honorspapers/130

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.