Generation of reconfigurable optical traps for microparticles spatial manipulation through dynamic split lens inspired light structures

Lizana, A., Zhang, H., Turpin, A. , Van Eeckhout, A., Torres-Ruiz, F. A., Vargas, A., Ramirez, C., Pi, F. and Campos, J. (2018) Generation of reconfigurable optical traps for microparticles spatial manipulation through dynamic split lens inspired light structures. Scientific Reports, 8, 11263. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29540-1) (PMID:30050141) (PMCID:PMC6062552)

Abstract

We present an experimental method, based on the use of dynamic split-lens configurations, useful for the trapping and spatial control of microparticles through the photophoretic force. In particular, the concept of split-lens configurations is exploited to experimentally create customized and reconfigurable three-dimensional light structures, in which carbon coated glass microspheres, with sizes in a range of 63–75 μm, can be captured. The generation of light spatial structures is performed by properly addressing phase distributions corresponding to different split-lens configurations onto a spatial light modulator (SLM). The use of an SLM allows a dynamic variation of the light structures geometry just by modifying few control parameters of easy physical interpretation. We provide some examples in video format of particle trapping processes. What is more, we also perform further spatial manipulation, by controlling the spatial position of the particles in the axial direction, demonstrating the generation of reconfigurable three-dimensional photophoretic traps for microscopic manipulation of absorbing particles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: We acknowledge the financial support of Spanish MINECO (FIS2015-66328-C3-1-R, FIS2015-66328-C3-3-R and fondos FEDER); Catalan Government (SGR 2014-1639). A. Vargas and F. Torres-Ruiz acknowledge Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development) - CONICYT/FONDECYT 1151290.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Turpin, Dr Alejandro
• Authors: Lizana, A., Zhang, H., Turpin, A., Van Eeckhout, A., Torres-Ruiz, F. A., Vargas, A., Ramirez, C., Pi, F., and Campos, J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science; College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 8: 11263
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License