State-of-the-art in multiple-beam optical tweezers
Abstract
In this talk, we give an overview of recent advances in simultaneous manipulation of arbitrary constellations of optically trapped microstructures. This talk will give emphasis on multiple optical trapping beams created using the Generalized Phase Contrast method that provides for a virtually lossless conversion of a phase-encoded TEM00 beam into real-time reconfigurable intensity patterns. Using counter-propagating beams and incorporating a spatially addressable polarization modulator in the optical system facilitates realtime three-dimensional optical traps. This enables independent and real-time control in all spatial dimensions resulting in true 3D-trajectories and real-time control of large constellations of optically trapped particles including living cells.
