Absorption spectrometry using a diffractive optical element constructed by gel electrophoresis

A novel diffractive optical element was constructed by means of gel electrophoresis. Five capillaries were filled with a methylene blue solution and inserted into a slab gel. An electrical potential was then applied to the slab gel. Methylene Blue in the capillaries underwent electrophoretic migration, forming clear blue bands in the gel. The bands functioned as a transmission grating, and diffracted a laser beam. The intensity of the diffracted light increased with increasing the concentration of methylene blue.