Use of multiple optical vortices for pumping, mixing and sorting

A method of pumping a fluid through a channel in accordance with a predetermined flow pattern, comprising the steps of:

• providing a beam of laser light;
• focusing the beam of laser light to establish a plurality of optical tweezers;
• converting the plurality of optical tweezers into a plurality of optical vortices using a computer-generated diffractive optical elements
• trapping a plurality of particles within the each of the plurality of optical vortices, the plurality of particles spinning about their own respective axis and rotating about the nearest optical vortex;
• and
• flowing a fluid through a channel containing the plurality of optical vortices, the fluid being pumped by at least one of the spinning and rotation of the plurality of particles.

A system for manipulating a fluid, comprising:

• means for forming a plurality of optical vortices using a computer-generated diffractive optical element with a focused beam of laser light to form a plurality of optical traps;
• and
• a plurality of particles positioned about a rim of each of the plurality of optical vortices, each of the plurality of particles spinning about its respective axis and rotating about the respective optical vortex,
• wherein the spinning and rotating plurality of particles pumps a fluid through a region including the plurality of optical vortices.

A method for manipulating a material using a micromachine, comprising:

• providing a beam of laser light;
• forming a plurality of optical traps from the beam of laser light;
• converting the plurality of optical traps into a plurality of optical vortices;
• and
• trapping a portion of the material within the optical vortices, the optical vortices applying a torque to the material.