Optical trapping with a semiconductor
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsDavid C. Appleyard, Matthew J. Lang
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an optical trap with light directed through or above a semiconductor material. A preferred embodiment selected light-trapping wavelengths that have lower absorption by the semiconductor. A preferred embodiment provides for an optical trapping through semiconductor employing a thin silicon (Si) wafer as a substrate. Further embodiments of the invention provide for microchannel fabrication, force probe measurement, sorting, switching and other active manipulation and assembly using an optical trap.
Claims51
A method for optically trapping an object comprising:
- optically coupling an active volume comprising a semiconductor material, to a light source;
- and
- directing light through the semiconductor material to form an optical trap in the active volume, the light applying a force to an object in the active volume.
A device for optically trapping an object comprising:
- an active volume comprising a surface of a semiconductor material;
- and
- a light source optically coupled to the active volume through the semiconductor material to form an optical trap of the object in the active volume.
A method of controlling motion of an object comprising optically coupling light to an active volume through a semiconductor material to control motion of an object within the active volume, the object being moveable while tethered relative to a surface of the semiconductor material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.