Optical manipulation of microscopic objects by means of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array sources

Abstract

We report on experimental verification of optical trapping using multiple beams generated by a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. Control of the spatial and temporal emission of a VCSEL array provides flexibility for manipulation of microscopic objects with compact hardware. Simultaneous capture of multiple objects and translation of an object without mechanical movement are demonstrated by an experimental system equipped with 8 x 8 VCSEL array sources. Features and applicability of the method are also discussed.

Light at work: The use of optical forces for particle manipulation, sorting, and analysis

“…Ogura et al used an array of surface-emitting laser diodes to generate several optical traps [108], Tam et al used a digital micromirror device combined with the imaging fiber-bundle [109], and Sun et al used microlens array and Talbot effect to generate a 3-D array of optical traps [110,111]. Merenda et al used quite a novel solution based on a matrix of micromirrors illuminated by a single collimated laser beam [112] (see Fig.…”

Compact optical tweezer with the capability of dynamic control

“…For the first time this technique was described in Ref. [7]. For optical trapping the authors used an array of vertical-cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSEL array).…”

Miniaturized high-NA focusing-mirror multiple optical tweezers

“…Several multiple optical trapping schemes have already been proposed relying on very different techniques, including diffractive elements [9,10], interfering beams [11,12], VCSEL arrays [13], microlens arrays [14] or optical fiber-bundles [15]. Certain optical trapping schemes even allow generating multiple traps that are computer-reconfigurable using laser scanning [16] or spatial light modulators [17,18].…”