# US 7,411,181 B2 · System and method for manipulating and processing materials using holographic optical trapping > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,411,181 B2 - Document ID: US7411181B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/974,976 - Filed: 2004-10-28 - Published: 2005-06-09 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2003-10-28 - Assignees: Arryx, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph Plewa; Evan Tanner; Dan Mueth; Lewis Gruber; Kenneth Bradley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411181B2 ## CPC - G03H 1/22: Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from holograms (G03H1/26 - G03H1/34 take precedence) - G02B 5/32: Holograms used as optical elements - G03H 1/0005: {Adaptation of holography to specific applications (holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042)} - G03H 1/08: Synthesising holograms, {i.e. holograms synthesized from objects or objects from holograms}(using electric digital computers G06F; G06T) - G03H 1/2294: {Addressing the hologram to an active spatial light modulator} - G03H 2001/0077: {for optical manipulation, e.g. holographic optical tweezers [HOT]} - G03H 2001/2284: {Superimposing the holobject with other visual information} - G03H: HOLOGRAPHIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS (holograms, e.g. point holograms, used as ordinary optical elements G02B5/32; producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00; diffraction-grating systems G02B27/44; systems using moiré fringes G02B27/60; optical logic elements G02F3/00; stereo-photography G03B35/00; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; {stereo-photographic or similar processes G03C9/00}; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D; analogue computers performing mathematical operations with the aid of optical elements G06E3/00; authentication by radiation, of concealed information carried by holograms or diffraction gratings G06K19/16; holographic storage G11B7/0065, G11C13/04; {stereoscopic or other three dimensional effects in television systems H04N13/00}) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A method and apparatus for manipulating particles (micro, nano, and pico) having one or more characteristics with an optical trap formed by modulating a laser beam with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). At least one characteristic of the material is selected; and a laser beam having a selected wavelength corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material is generated. Values of the DOE are calculated corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material. The beam and the DOE are modulated to produce a holographic optical trap having properties corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic. The trap is focused to a beam focus or selected spot size; and the beam focus is located near a particle location for trapping the particle therein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: utilizing an optical trapping apparatus by modulating a laser beam with a Dynamic Optical Element (DOE) to produce optical traps; depositing the materials onto a surface in the fluidic medium; and selectively illuminating the materials in the fluidic medium with one of said laser beam or said optical traps; wherein the materials are thermal absorbers and are selectively illuminated in the fluidic medium to form selected flow patterns in the fluidic medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said materials are graphite particles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, further comprising: depositing absorbing patterns of said materials onto said surface in said fluidic medium which allows directed heating of said surface anywhere along said patterns. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, further comprising: depositing a thin coating of a material over said surface that absorbs laser radiation, allowing directed heating at any location on said surface, and which allows predetermined fluidic flows. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said fluidic medium absorbs heat in a two-photon process, which allows preferential heating at locations where optical traps are presented. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: varying an energy supply to said optical traps to produce selected convective and material flows. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said materials comprise one or more of nanoparticles, microparticles and picoparticles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the materials comprise at least one of a nanotube, agglomerated elemental gold, platinum, titanium, DNA, a thermal absorber, colloidal spheres, polymers, bio polymers, quantum dots, pharmaceuticals, or bio materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a mode of the laser beam comprises at least one of a Gaussian distribution, a Bessel distribution, a point distribution, an optical bottle, and an optical vortex. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A product produced by the process of claim 1. ### Claim 11 A method of manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: utilizing an optical training apparatus by modulating a laser beam with a Dynamic Optical Element (DOE) to produce optical traps; selectively illuminating the materials in said fluidic medium with one of said laser beam or said optical traps; wherein said materials are thermal absorbers; wherein the materials are selectively illuminated in the fluidic medium to form selected patterns in the fluidic medium; and trapping one of the materials in a Bessel trap; superimposing an optical trap on said Bessel trap thereby illuminating an interior of said Bessel trap; and producing fluidic flow in said Bessel trap independent of said Bessel trap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein said materials absorb energy to produce said fluidic flow. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of Bessel traps produces a plurality of selected flow patterns. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: a laser for generating a laser beam; and a dynamic optical element (DOE) for producing a plurality of Bessel beams in a Bessel trap; wherein said Bessel beams trap said materials in said Bessel trap, thereby illuminating an interior of said Bessel trap causing selected fluid flow therein; and wherein said fluidic flow in said Bessel trap is independent of said Bessel trap. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of Bessel traps producing a plurality of selected flow patterns. ### Claim 16 An apparatus for manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: a laser for generating a laser beam; and a dynamic optical element (DOE) for producing a plurality of optical traps; a plurality of surfaces disposed in said fluidic medium; wherein an optical traps is established between at least two of said plurality of surfaces, forming a conductive path therebetween; wherein the materials in the fluidic medium collect along said conductive path; wherein said optical traps forming said conductive paths are Bessel beams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the materials comprise at least two types of particles, each of the particles having a selected conductivity different from one another, and selected of the two materials are attracted to different conductive paths. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said particles are attracted to said conductive paths based upon one of conductivity size or chirality. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said different conductive paths together establish a conductive path through the fluidic medium and between said surfaces which manifests as a combined parallel resistance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein one of said conductive paths includes lower resistance particles, and the other of said conductive paths includes lower conductive particles, thereby forming a series resistance. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein lengths of said respective conductive paths are varied to establish a variable resistance between said surfaces. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a switchable wire comprising a plurality of conductive particles; wherein said conductive particles are trapped in Bessel beams in sufficient proximity to support a current. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein when the Bessel beams are turned off, at least one of the conductive particles diffuses, causing a circuit to open, and stopping any current. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said materials comprise one or more of nanoparticles, microparticles and picoparticles. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a mode of the laser beam comprises at least one of a Gaussian distribution, a Bessel distribution, a point distribution, an optical bottle, and an optical vortex. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the materials comprise at least one of a nanotube, agglomerated elemental gold, platinum, titanium, DNA, a thermal absorber, colloidal spheres, polymers, bio polymers, quantum dots, pharmaceuticals, or bio materials. ### Claim 27 An apparatus for manipulating materials, comprising: an optical trapping apparatus including a laser for generating a laser beam; a dynamic optical element (DOE) for modulating said laser beam to produce a plurality of optical traps; wherein said DOE is a spatial light modulator or digital light processor which generates holograms having a characteristic which is related to a property of the materials; and a computer which calculates each said characteristic of each of said holograms based on each said property of the materials, to tailor said holograms to each said property of the materials; wherein said property is at least one of size, conductivity, chirality, or refractive index; and wherein said laser beam is generated having a selected wavelength corresponding to said selected property. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said calculations are repeated by said computer based on a functionality of said holograms, in order to achieve said holograms which are tailored to said property of the materials. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the materials comprise one or more of nanoparticles, microparticles and picoparticles. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the materials comprise at least one of a nanotube; agglomerated elemental gold; platinum; titanium; DNA; a thermal absorber; colloidal spheres; polymers; bio polymers; quantum dots; pharmaceuticals; or bio materials. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a mode of the laser beam comprises at least one of a Gaussian distribution, a Bessel distribution, a point distribution, an optical bottle, and an optical vortex. ### Claim 32 A method of manipulating materials, comprising: utilizing an optical trapping apparatus including a laser for generating a laser beam, and a dynamic optical element (DOE) for producing a plurality of optical traps; wherein said DOE is a spatial light modulator or digital light processor which generates holograms having a characteristic which is related to a characteristic of the materials; and calculating each said characteristic of each of said holograms based on each said characteristic of the materials, to tailor said holograms to each said characteristic of the materials; wherein said characteristic is at least one of size, conductivity, chirality, or refractive index; and wherein said laser beam is generated having a selected wavelength corresponding to said selected characteristic. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method according to claim 32, further comprising: repeating said calculations based on a functionality of said holograms, in order to achieve said holograms which are tailored to said characteristic of the materials. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method according to claim 32, wherein the materials comprise one or more of nanoparticles, microparticles and picoparticles. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The method according to claim 32, wherein the materials comprise at least one of a nanotube; agglomerated elemental gold; platinum; titanium; DNA; a thermal absorber; colloidal spheres; polymers; bio polymers; quantum dots; pharmaceuticals; or bio materials. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The method according to claim 32, wherein the mode of the laser light comprises at least one of a Gaussian distribution; a Bessell distribution; a point distribution; and an optical vortex. ### Claim 37 (depends on 32) A product formed by the method of claim 32. ### Claim 38 A method of manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: providing a plurality of surfaces disposed in the fluidic medium; utilizing an optical trapping apparatus including a laser for generating a laser beam, and a dynamic optical element (DOE) for producing a plurality of optical traps; establishing optical traps between at least two of said plurality of surfaces, forming a conductive path therebetween; and collecting the materials in the fluidic medium along a plurality of conductive paths; wherein said optical trays forming said conductive paths are Bessel beams. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the materials comprise at least two types of particles, each of the particles having a selected conductivity different from one another, and selected of the two materials are attracted to different conductive paths. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The method according to claim 39, wherein said particles are attracted to said conductive paths based upon one of conductivity size or chirality. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein different conductive paths together establish a conductive path through the fluidic medium and between said surfaces which manifests as a combined parallel resistance. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein one of said conductive paths includes lower resistance particles, and the other of said conductive paths includes lower conductive particles, thereby forming a series resistance. ### Claim 43 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein lengths of said respective conductive paths are varied to establish a variable resistance between said surfaces. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the materials comprise one or more of nanoparticles, microparticles and picoparticles. ### Claim 45 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the materials comprise at least one of a nanotube; agglomerated elemental gold; platinum; titanium; DNA; a thermal absorber; colloidal spheres; polymers; bio polymers; quantum dots; pharmaceuticals; or bio materials. ### Claim 46 (depends on 38) The method according to claim 38, wherein the mode of the laser light comprises at least one of a Gaussian distribution; a Bessel distribution; a point distribution; and an optical vortex. ### Claim 47 (depends on 38) A product produced by the method of claim 38. ### Claim 48 A method manipulating materials in a fluidic medium, comprising: providing a plurality of surfaces disposed in the fluidic medium; utilizing an optical trapping apparutus including a laser for generating a laser beam, and a dynamic optical element (DOE) for producing a plurality of optical traps; establishing optical traps between at least two of said plurality of surfaces, forming a conductive path therebetween; collecting the materials in the fluidic medium along said conducting path; and forming a switchable wire comprising a plurality of conductive particles by trapping said conductive particles in Bessel beams in sufficient proximity to support a current. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method according to claim 48, wherein when the Bessel beams are turned off, at least one of the conductive particles diffuses, causing a circuit to open, and stopping any current.