Use of multiple optical vortices for pumping, mixing and sorting
US6858833B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03H2225/32
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.