Optical travelator: transport and dynamic sorting of colloidal microspheres with an asymmetrical line optical tweezers

We report the transport, funnelling and dynamic sorting of colloidal microspheres in an aqueous suspension using line optical tweezers with asymmetrical intensity profiles. The line tweezers readily trapped and propelled the microspheres along the length of the line tweezers. Using this simple technique, transporting and funnelling of microspheres within a microscopic region were demonstrated. To illustrate the dynamic particle-sorting capability of the line tweezers, a binary colloidal system comprising of microspheres with diameters of 1.1 μm and 3.2 μm were driven past the line tweezers by electrophoresis. As the optical trapping force is dependent on the size of the microspheres, the line tweezers was able to change the path of the larger spheres while exerting little influence on the smaller spheres thus sorting the two types of microspheres. At optimized laser power and flow rate of microspheres, sorting efficiency greater than 90% has been achieved. PACS 42.15.Eq; 87.80.Cc; 87.80.Fe; 82.70.Dd     

Three-dimensional orientation of microscopic objects using combined elliptical and point optical tweezers

We report the development of a simple approach for controlled three-dimensional orientation of microscopic objects. The approach makes use of the fact that whereas in an elliptical trap, an object lacking spherical symmetry orients with its long axis along the major axis of the elliptical tweezers, in point tweezers it orients with its long axis along the trapping beam. Therefore, a combined use of point and elliptical tweezers and a control over the relative power of the two trapping beams can be used for three-dimensional orientation of the object. The use of this approach for three-dimensional orientation of biological objects varying in size from 2 to 20 μm is discussed. PACS 07.60.-j; 87.80.Cc     

A study of multi-trapping of tapered-tip single fiber optical tweezers

We develop a pair of tapered-tip single fiber optical tweezers, and study its multi-trapping characteristic. The finite difference time domain method is employed to simulate the trapping force characteristic of this pair of single fiber optical tweezers, and the results show that the number of trapped particles depends on the refractive index and the size of the particles. The trapping force of this pair of tapered-tip single fiber optical tweezers is calibrated by the experimental method, and the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical calculation results. The multi-trapping capability realized by the tapered-tip single fiber optical tweezers will be practical and useful for applications in biomedical research fields.     

红外显微观测被俘获吸光性颗粒

光镊技术被广泛应用在俘获和操纵微纳米尺寸颗粒, 目前被研究学者普遍接受的俘获吸光性颗粒的机理为光泳力. 本文实现了对空气中被俘获的吸光性颗粒的红外显微观测. 当激光器功率为1.0 W时, 成功观测到被俘获墨粉颗粒(直径约7 μm)和甲苯胺蓝颗粒(直径约为1–20 μm)的温升约为14 K, 为光泳力理论提供了强有力的证据. 另外, 首次用可见光显微镜和红外显微镜同时观测到被俘获颗粒的周期振荡现象, 并分析了振荡现象的产生机理. 关键词： 光镊 光俘获 红外显微     

Trapping multiple particles in single optical tweezers

Optical trapping of multiple particles in three dimensions in a single inverted optical tweezers is investigated. The effect of trapping pairs of beads on the voltage signal recorded by a quadrant photo diode detector is examined, with particular emphasise on its power spectral density. It is found that trapped pairs of beads could be mistaken for single beads in a trap of half the strength. Stokes drag measurements reveal that both beads of the pair are confined less than a single particle in the same trap and that the quadrant signal provides some information of their mean displacements.     

一种用于细胞操作的单光纤光镊研究

采用一种抛物线形光纤针作为基本器件,设计制作了单光纤光镊系统.用时域有限差分（Finite Difference Time Domain,FDTD）的方法仿真了抛物线型光纤探针的出射场,并在稳态场下通过对麦克斯韦应力张量积分求出不同介质球半径和折射率情况下,介质球受到的横向和纵向光作用力.实验中此单光纤光镊系统实现了对水中酵母细胞的空间捕获,并且结合两个抛物线形光纤针实现了酵母细胞在两个光势阱中的转移交接.这种单光纤光镊系统结构简单、紧凑,操纵灵活,便于调整.可以适应更多的生物细胞和生物分子的光微操作需求.     

Three-dimensional optical trapping of partially silvered silica microparticles

We demonstrate three-dimensional trapping of micrometer-diameter silica particles, partially coated with silver, within conventional optical tweezers. Although metallic particles are usually repelled from the beam focus by the scattering force, we show that transparent spheres partially coated with silver can be trapped with efficiencies comparable with dielectric particles. The trapping characteristics of these particles are examined as a function of metallic coverage, and the application of these particles to surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering is investigated.     

时域有限差分法数值仿真单光镊中微球受到的光阱力

本文采用三维时域有限差分法(FDTD)和Maxwell应力张量法建立了单光镊在焦点附近俘获球形微粒的光阱力模型,采用基于球矢量波函数(VSWF)的五阶高斯光源作为仿真光源,得到了准确的光场传播.讨论了光源的波长、束腰、偏振态和微球的半径、折射率对光阱力的影响,分析了在单光镊俘获微球时,邻近微球对光阱力的影响.特别研究了光源的偏振态对微球所受光阱力的作用效果,仿真结果表明圆偏振光比线偏振光对微球的俘获力更大;被光镊稳定俘获的微球,会受到邻近微球干扰,失去平衡状态,改变光源的偏振态可以改变微球的受力状态. 关键词： 光镊 光阱力 介质微球 时域有限差分法(FDTD)     

轴向多光阱微粒捕获与实时直接观测技术

传统的光镊技术使用单个物镜同时进行光学捕获与显微成像,使得捕获与成像区域被限制在物镜焦平面附近,无法同时观察到沿光轴方向(即Z向)捕获的多个微粒.本文提出一种轴平面(XZ平面)GerchbergSaxton迭代算法来产生沿轴向分布的多光阱阵列,将轴平面成像技术与光镊结合,实现了沿轴向对二氧化硅微球的多光阱同时捕获与实时观测.通过视频分析法测量了多个二氧化硅微球在轴向光镊阵列中的布朗运动,并标定了光阱刚度.本文提出的轴向多光阱微粒捕获与实时观测技术为光学微操纵提供了一个新的观测视角和操纵方法,为生物医学、物理学等相关领域研究提供了一种新的技术手段.     

Controlled rotation and orientation of rubrene particles and Escherichia coli using optical tweezers

Optical trapping and rotating of suspended micro-sized rubrene particles were performed using optical tweezers with circularly polarized light. The experimental results show that the rotation speed of the rubrene particles is proportional to the laser power, and the orientation of the rubrene particles can be controlled by the optical tweezers with linearly polarized light. Interestingly, by combining with the rubrene particle, the Escherichia coli (E. coli) can be rotated and oriented by optical tweezers. However, the rotating and orientating are mainly determined by the characteristics of rubrene particles. Our experiment provides a simple and convenient way to orient biological particles even if they are not sensitive to the polarization of the laser beam. Moreover, the rubrene can emit strong fluorescence when excited by the laser at the wavelength of 532 nm, and which can be potential applied to manipulate other particles with the fluorescence characteristics.     

Measurement of elastic light scattering from two optically trapped microspheres and red blood cells in a transparent medium

Optical tweezers can be used to manipulate small objects and cells. A trap can be used to fix the position of a particle during light scattering measurements. The places of two separately trapped particles can also be changed. In this Letter we present elastic light scattering measurements as a function of scattering angle when two trapped spheres are illuminated with a He-Ne laser. This setup is suitable for trapping noncharged homogeneous spheres. We also demonstrate measurement of light scattering patterns from two separately trapped red blood cells. Two different illumination schemes are used for both samples.     

Multifocal optical trapping using counter-propagating radially-polarized beams

A model of optical tweezers which can trap a chain of Rayleigh particles is proposed by using two counter-propagating equal highly focused radial polarized beams. Calculations show that a multifocal distribution along the optical axis is formed and the scattering force is equal to zero in the total focal filed, consequently a chain of metallic Rayleigh particles can be stably trapped. The trap force and the trap stiffness using two counter-propagating Radially-polarized beams are larger than those using two counter-propagating linearly-polarized beams. The trapping stability is calculated and analyzed in detail. The trapping number of particles in a trapping chain can be controlled by adjusting the aperture angle of the objective and the parameters of the filter used in the proposed trap system.     

Calculation and optical measurement of laser trapping forces on non-spherical particles

Optical trapping, where microscopic particles are trapped and manipulated by light is a powerful and widespread technique, with the single-beam gradient trap (also known as optical tweezers) in use for a large number of biological and other applications. The forces and torques acting on a trapped particle result from the transfer of momentum and angular momentum from the trapping beam to the particle. Despite the apparent simplicity of a laser trap, with a single particle in a single beam, exact calculation of the optical forces and torques acting on particles is difficult. Calculations can be performed using approximate methods, but are only applicable within their ranges of validity, such as for particles much larger than, or much smaller than, the trapping wavelength, and for spherical isotropic particles. This leaves unfortunate gaps, since wavelength-scale particles are of great practical interest because they are readily and strongly trapped and are used to probe interesting microscopic and macroscopic phenomena, and non-spherical or anisotropic particles, biological, crystalline, or other, due to their frequent occurance in nature, and the possibility of rotating such objects or controlling or sensing their orientation. The systematic application of electromagnetic scattering theory can provide a general theory of laser trapping, and render results missing from existing theory. We present here calculations of force and torque on a trapped particle obtained from this theory and discuss the possible applications, including the optical measurement of the force and torque.     

Controlled trapping and rotation of carbon nanotube bundle with optical tweezers

Controlled optical trapping and rotation of carbon nanotube bundle (CNTB) including single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube in aqueous solution, were performed using the optical tweezers. Vertical and horizontal trapping of CNTB was performed depending on the size of CNTB and the trapping depth. In addition, four different rotations of the trapped CNTB were described and explained by the interaction between CNTB and the laser field, and the convection of the aqueous solution induced by thermalphoresis effect. These results will pave the way to assemble some CNTs-based devices such as micro motors.     

利用光镊计算工具箱实现光镊系统的参量评价

光镊所捕获的微球尺度常常落在中间尺度上,导致相关参量难于计算.OTT1光镊工具箱是一种基于广义Lorenz-Mie理论的T-matrix方法,它的发展使得对光镊系统的详细计算和评价成为可能.本文对光镊的轴向捕获特性曲线、线性性和刚度,以及杜克系列微球的互换性做了计算和评价.结果表明:光镊所用物镜的数值孔径越接近水的折射率捕获效果越好;0.8~1.2 μm的聚苯乙烯微球组成的光镊刚度较大;直径在2 μm以下的聚苯乙烯微球组成的光镊线性度较好;0.8~2 μm的Duke系列聚苯乙烯微球的互换性较好,便于纳米光镊的修正与实验;要避免米共振微球的直径要在2.5 μm以下.     

Optically-driven red blood cell rotor in linearly polarized laser tweezers

We have constructed a dual trap optical tweezers set-up around an inverted microscope where both the traps can be independently controlled and manipulated in all the three dimensions. Here we report our observations on rotation of red blood cells (RBCs) in a linearly polarized optical trap. Red blood cells deform and become twisted in hypertonic phosphate buffer saline and when trapped, experience an unbalanced radiation pressure force. The torque generated from the unbalanced force causes the trapped RBC to rotate. Addition of Ca⁺⁺ ions in the solution, keeping the osmolarity same, makes the cell membranes stiffer and the cells deform less. Thus the speed of rotation of the red blood cells can be controlled, as less deformation and in turn less asymmetry in shape produces less torque under the radiation pressure resulting in slower rotation at the same laser power     

Planar optical tweezers using tapered-waveguide junctions

We demonstrate planar optical tweezers using the evanescent field of a silicon nitride tapered-waveguide junction between a singlemode waveguide and a multimode waveguide. Our experiments show that the junction embedded in a fluidic channel holds up to one and two polystyrene particles of sizes of 2.2 μm and 1 μm, respectively. The trapped particles are successively substituted by the incoming particles. Our experiments and numerical modeling reveal that the junction particle trapping depends on particle size and number.     

Optical tweezers for confocal microscopy

In confocal laser scanning microscopes (CLSMs), lasers can be used for image formation as well as tools for the manipulation of microscopic objects. In the latter case, in addition to the imaging lasers, the light of an extra laser has to be focused into the object plane of the CLSM, for example as optical tweezers. Imaging as well as trapping by optical tweezers can be done using the same objective lens. In this case, z-sectioning for 3D imaging shifts the optical tweezers with the focal plane of the objective along the optical axis, so that a trapped object remains positioned in the focal plane. Consequently, 3D imaging of trapped objects is impossible without further measures. We present an experimental set-up keeping the axial trapping position of the optical tweezers at its intended position whilst the focal plane can be axially shifted over a distance of about 15 μm. It is based on fast-moving correctional optics synchronized with the objective movement. First examples of application are the 3D imaging of chloroplasts of Elodea densa (Canadian waterweed) in a vigorous cytoplasmic streaming and the displacement of zymogen granules in pancreatic cancer cells (AR42 J). Received: 24 March 2000 / Revised version: 23 June 2000 / Published online: 11 October 2000     

光纤探针型近场光镊光阱力特性研究

基于动量守恒原理,结合麦克斯韦应力张量和三维时域有限差分方法,建立了近场空间内激光光镊对纳米微粒的光阱力计算模型.分析了光纤探针型近场光镊的近场分布以及操作纳米微粒时各轴向光阱力的分布情况,并探讨了光纤探针尖端的捕获尺寸、捕获位置和操作稳定性.结果表明:微粒应处于光纤探针针尖的近场空间内才可实现稳定可靠的纳米操作,不同尺寸的微粒具有不同的捕获效果,且随初始位置的不同微粒的捕获位置亦不同.计算结果为激光近场光镊纳米操作装置的设计和制造提供了理论基础.     

Surface plasmon optical tweezers: tunable optical manipulation in the femtonewton range

We present a quantitative analysis of 2D surface plasmon based optical tweezers able to trap microcolloids at a patterned metal surface under low laser intensity. Photonic force microscopy is used to assess the properties of surface plasmon traps, such as confinement and stiffness, revealing stable trapping with forces in the range of a few tens of femtonewtons. We also investigate the specificities of surface plasmon tweezers with respect to conventional 3D tweezers responsible for their selectivity to the trapped specimen's size. The accurate engineering of the trapping properties through the adjustment of the illumination parameters opens new perspectives in the realization of future optically driven on-a-chip devices.