Optical tunnels: long-range optical trapping and manipulation in aqueous media

Lialys, Laurynas; Lialys, Justinas; Fardad, Shima

doi:10.1364/osac.436245

Cited by 3 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In the ACP dual beam trapping system [42], unlike the traditional symmetric CP beams setup, we utilize two different optics with very different focal lengths to create the trap. To this end, a lens with a long focal length of 15cm (hence long Rayleigh range) is placed on one side of the sample, while a low-NA objective (0.25 to 0.4 depending on particle size) is placed on the other side.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this work, to generate the ACP trap, we use a more simpli ed system compared to our previous work [42] that uses only one incoming laser beam, as observed in Fig. 1.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous study, we addressed the rst question by utilizing dual AsymmetricalCounter-Propagating (ACP) beams along with the use of low-NA components to form the optical trap [42,43]. We showed that the asymmetry introduced in the two CP beam system not only increases trapping stiffness (with respect to traditional CP beam traps) but also allows for the axial scattering forces to be balanced over a wide spatial length.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this paper we plan to address the second question regarding trapping larger particles, but to do so rst we will discuss a signi cantly less complex setup to create ACP traps than presented before [42]. We will demonstrate why this system is substantially easier to align and shows much less sensitivity to misalignments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optical Trapping of Sub-millimeter Sized Particles and Microorganisms

Lialys

Salandrino

et al. 2023

Preprint

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While Optical Tweezers (OT) are mostly used for confining smaller size particles, the counter-propagating (CP) dual-beam traps have been a versatile method for confining both small and larger size particles including biological specimen. However, CP traps are complex sensitive systems, requiring tedious alignment to achieve perfect symmetry with rather low trapping stiffness values compared to OT. Moreover, due to their relatively weak forces, CP traps are limited in the size of particles they can confine which is about 100µm. In this paper, a new class of counter-propagating optical tweezers with a broken symmetry is discussed and experimentally demonstrated to trap and manipulate larger than 100µm particles inside liquid media. Our technique exploits a single Gaussian beam folding back on itself in an asymmetrical fashion forming a CP trap capable of confining small and significantly larger particles (up to 250µm in diameter) based on optical forces only. Such optical trapping of large-size specimen to the best of our knowledge has not been demonstrated before. The broken symmetry of the trap combined with the retro-reflection of the beam has not only significantly simplified the alignment of the system, but also made it robust to slight misalignments and enhances the trapping stiffness as shown later. Moreover, our proposed trapping method is quite versatile as it allows for trapping and translating of a wide variety of particle sizes and shapes, ranging from one micron up to a few hundred of microns including microorganisms, using very low laser powers and numerical aperture optics. This in turn, permits the integration of a wide range of spectroscopy techniques for imaging and studying the optically trapped specimen. As an example, we will demonstrate how this novel technique enables simultaneous 3D trapping and light-sheet microscopy of C. elegans worms with up to 450µm length.

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Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this work, to generate the ACP trap, we use a more simpli ed system compared to our previous work [42] that uses only one incoming laser beam, as observed in Fig. 1.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Optical Trapping of Sub-millimeter Sized Particles and Microorganisms

Lialys

Salandrino

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a previous study, we addressed the first question by utilizing dual Asymmetrical Counter-Propagating (ACP) beams along with the use of low-NA components to form the optical trap 44 , 45 . We showed that the asymmetry introduced in the two CP beam system not only increases trapping stiffness (with respect to traditional CP beam traps) but also allows for the axial scattering forces to be balanced over a wide spatial length.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical trapping of sub-millimeter sized particles and microorganisms

Lialys

Salandrino

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While optical tweezers (OT) are mostly used for confining smaller size particles, the counter-propagating (CP) dual-beam traps have been a versatile method for confining both small and larger size particles including biological specimen. However, CP traps are complex sensitive systems, requiring tedious alignment to achieve perfect symmetry with rather low trapping stiffness values compared to OT. Moreover, due to their relatively weak forces, CP traps are limited in the size of particles they can confine which is about 100 μm. In this paper, a new class of counter-propagating optical tweezers with a broken symmetry is discussed and experimentally demonstrated to trap and manipulate larger than 100 μm particles inside liquid media. Our technique exploits a single Gaussian beam folding back on itself in an asymmetrical fashion forming a CP trap capable of confining small and significantly larger particles (up to 250 μm in diameter) based on optical forces only. Such optical trapping of large-size specimen to the best of our knowledge has not been demonstrated before. The broken symmetry of the trap combined with the retro-reflection of the beam has not only significantly simplified the alignment of the system, but also made it robust to slight misalignments and enhances the trapping stiffness as shown later. Moreover, our proposed trapping method is quite versatile as it allows for trapping and translating of a wide variety of particle sizes and shapes, ranging from one micron up to a few hundred of microns including microorganisms, using very low laser powers and numerical aperture optics. This in turn, permits the integration of a wide range of spectroscopy techniques for imaging and studying the optically trapped specimen. As an example, we will demonstrate how this novel technique enables simultaneous 3D trapping and light-sheet microscopy of C. elegans worms with up to 450 µm length.

show abstract