Device and method for the contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field

A device for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field, comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and optical means for guiding said electromagnetic radiation into said measurement volume,

• wherein
• said optical means include a beam shaping device for generating an intensity profile that is asymmetrical about the beam axis, wherein sample particles in the measurement volume can be trapped in a nonhomogeneous field distribution of the electric field generated by said asymmetrical intensity profile,
• for the purpose of entraining sample particles trapped in said nonhomogeneous field distribution there is provided a rotating device to effect rotation of said asymmetrical intensity profile about said beam axis relatively to said measurement volume, and
• the electromagnetic radiation beam in the measurement volume is divergent.

A method for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric field,

• in which electromagnetic radiation is guided into a measurement volume and
• in which sample particles in the measurement volume align in a nonhomogeneous electric field of said introduced electromagnetic radiation, wherein
• an intensity profile asymmetrical about the beam axis is imposed on the electromagnetic radiation that is introduced into said measurement volume, which intensity profile produces, in said measurement volume, a nonhomogeneous field distribution of the electric field, in which sample particles are trapped,
• for entrainment of said sample particles trapped in said nonhomogeneous field distribution said asymmetrical intensity profile is rotated about the beam axis relatively to said measurement volume, and
• the electromagnetic radiation in said measurement volume is unfocused.

A method for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric field,

• in which electromagnetic radiation is guided into a measurement volume and
• in which sample particles in the measurement volume align in a nonhomogeneous electric field of said introduced electromagnetic radiation,
• wherein
• an intensity profile asymmetrical about the beam axis is imposed on the electromagnetic radiation that is introduced into said measurement volume, which intensity profile produces, in said measurement volume, a nonhomogeneous field distribution of the electric field, in which sample particles are trapped,
• that for entrainment of said sample particles trapped in said nonhomogeneous field distribution said asymmetrical intensity profile is rotated about the beam axis relatively to said measurement volume, and
• that the electromagnetic radiation in said measurement volume is divergent.