Sample carrier with light refracting structures

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier (211) and an apparatus for optical manipulations of a sample in a sample chamber (2), wherein the carrier (211) comprises a contact surface (12) with a plurality of holes (52), particularly grooves (52). In a preferred embodiment, the holes (52) have two oppositely slanted opposing facets (53, 54) that include an angle (2a) of less than about (¾/¾)·140°, with ¾ and n2 being the refractive indices of the carrier and the sample, respectively. Moreover, a light source may be arranged such that it generates an input light beam (LI) which traverses at least two holes (52) before leaving the carrier (211) as an output light beam (L2). Due to the steepness of the facets (53, 54) and/or the multiple passages of the input light beam (LI) through holes (52) it is possible to interact with a sample in the holes in an efficient way and to minimize losses of light.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.