Collecting apparatus for microscopic objects, collecting container used in collecting apparatus, and method of collecting microscopic objects

A collecting apparatus for microscopic objects the collecting apparatus being configured to collect microscopic objects having sizes ranging from a nanometer order to a micrometer order, the collecting apparatus comprising:

• a light source configured to emit light;
• a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which the microscopic objects are dispersed;
• wherein:
• the container has:
• a bottom surface on which a photothermal conversion member for converting the light from the light source into heat is formed, and
• an inner surface at which immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid, and
• the photothermal conversion member includes a first photothermal conversion layer and a second photothermal conversion layer,
• the first photothermal conversion layer is formed on the bottom surface,
• the container further includes a heat insulating spacer fixed onto the first photothermal conversion layer,
• the second photothermal conversion layer is formed on the heat insulating spacer,
• the heat insulating spacer is lower in thermal conductivity than the first photothermal conversion layer and the second photothermal conversion layer, and
• the light source is configured to irradiate the first photothermal conversion layer and the second photothermal conversion layer with the light that is within an absorption wavelength range of each of the first photothermal conversion layer and the second photothermal conversion layer and that is out of an absorption wavelength range of the heat insulating spacer.