Apparatus for applying optical gradient forces
AssigneeArch Development Corporation
InventorsDavid G. GRIER, Eric R. DUFRESNE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for manipulating small dielectric particles. The apparatus and method involves use of a diffractive optical element which receives a laser beam and forms a plurality of light beams. These light beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating small dielectric particles.
Claims22
A method for manipulating a plurality of particles by forming and moving a plurality of optical traps, the method comprising:
- providing at least one laser beam from at least one source;
- applying the at least one laser beam to diffraction means for simultaneously creating a plurality of separate laser beams from each of the at least one laser beam;
- establishing an optical gradient for each of the plurality of separate laser beams to form a plurality of separate optical traps for moving the plurality of particles;
- and
- performing a manufacturing process which changes the position of at least one of the plurality of particles.
A method for manipulating a plurality of particles by forming and moving a plurality of optical gradient fields, the method comprising:
- providing at least one laser beam from at least one source;
- applying the at least one laser beam to diffraction means for simultaneously creating a plurality of separate laser beams from each said at least one laser beam;
- establishing an optical gradient field for each of the plurality of separate laser beams for at least one of trapping and moving the plurality of particles;
- and
- performing a manufacturing process which changes the position of at least one of the plurality of particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.