Optical-fiber-based powerful tools for living cell manipulation [Invited]

Abstract

By using a specialty optical fiber, a series of powerful microparticle manipulation tools, including optical tweezers, a micro-optical hand, and an optical gun, are developed and demonstrated. In this paper, a review of our research activities on the optical manipulation of microparticles is presented. In particular, we will describe a kind of specialty optical fiber designed and fabricated for building optical trapping and manipulating tools. The performances of annular core fiber-based optical tweezers, a multicore fiber-based micro-optical hand, and a coaxial dual waveguide fiber-based optical gun are demonstrated as examples of applications and discussed in detail. The fiber can be used in cell manipulation in life science and drug response in medicine.

Optical tweezers and manipulators. Modern concepts and future prospect

“…A combination of simplicity and functionality in optical tweezers requires the fulfilment of the basic principle Ð the gradient force must dominate the scattering force, particularly for particles having positive polarizability (the refractive index of the particle is greater than that of the environment) [118]. For this purpose, a Gaussian beam is focused using objective lenses with high numerical apertures (frequently, NA b 0X95), making it possible to form a considerable gradient of the light field intensity near the focus.…”