Indirect optical trapping using light driven micro-rotors for reconfigurable hydrodynamic manipulation

Būtaitė, U. G., Gibson, G. M. , Ho, Y.-L. D., Taverne, M., Taylor, J. M. and Phillips, D. B. (2019) Indirect optical trapping using light driven micro-rotors for reconfigurable hydrodynamic manipulation. Nature Communications, 10, 1215. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-08968-7) (PMID:30872572) (PMCID:PMC6418258)

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Abstract

Optical tweezers are a highly versatile tool for exploration of the mesoscopic world, permitting non-contact manipulation of nanoscale objects. However, direct illumination with intense lasers restricts their use with live biological specimens, and limits the types of materials that can be trapped. Here we demonstrate an indirect optical trapping platform which circumvents these limitations by using hydrodynamic forces to exert nanoscale-precision control over aqueous particles, without directly illuminating them. Our concept is based on optically actuated micro-robotics: closed-loop control enables highly localised flow-fields to be sculpted by precisely piloting the motion of optically-trapped micro-rotors. We demonstrate 2D trapping of absorbing particles which cannot be directly optically trapped, stabilise the position and orientation of yeast cells, and demonstrate independent control over multiple objects simultaneously. Our work expands the capabilities of optical tweezers platforms, and represents a new paradigm for manipulation of aqueous mesoscopic systems.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gibson, Dr Graham and Taylor, Dr Jonathan and Butaite, Ms Une
Authors: Būtaitė, U. G., Gibson, G. M., Ho, Y.-L. D., Taverne, M., Taylor, J. M., and Phillips, D. B.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Nature Communications
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2041-1723
ISSN (Online):2041-1723
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Nature Communications 10: 1215
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.714

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
738201EPSRC DTP 16/17 and 17/18Mary Beth KneafseyEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N509668/1R&I - RESEARCH STRATEGY & INNOVATION