We describe the real-time visualization of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) i
n a microscale region using an interdigitated array electrode (IDA) in a th
in layer flow cell. We studied the ECL reaction, which is based on the anni
hilation of cations and anions of 9,10-diphenylanthracene at the IDA, from
the spatial and temporal emission patterns in the thin layer. We observed t
hat the ECL emission region moved from the root of the band array to its ce
nter and the emission time was limited when the dye solution was static. We
found that two kinds of microscale-width solution stream formed spontaneou
sly and were arranged alternately when the solution was under the laminar f
low conditions at a specific flow rate. The two streams were composed of di
fferent radical components.