David G Grier

US Patent:

6858833, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

May 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847042

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US
David G. Grier - New York City NY, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01J040/14

US Classification:

250221, 250216

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.

US Patent:

7104659, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/010004

Inventors:

David G. Grier - New York NY, US
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington VA, US
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 26/00
H01S 3/00

US Classification:

359614, 359615, 359613, 359350, 359361, 359368

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

US Patent:

7137574, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Jun 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/878797

Inventors:

David G. Grier - New York City NY, US
Pamela T. Korda - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B05B 1/26
B05B 1/34
B05B 1/30

US Classification:

239461, 239463, 239464, 239466, 239467, 239513

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for laterally deflecting and/or separating a flow of particles using a static array of optical tweezers. In an array of optical tweezers with a lattice constant larger than the size of a particle of interest, particles driven past the array by an external force experience an additional interaction with the array of traps. By altering the angle of the array of traps relative to the external force, the particles' movement from trap to trap inside the array can be biased away from the direction of the external force, thereby enabling selective deflection and/or separation of particles.

US Patent:

7176445, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/266989

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Manheim, DE
Brian A. Koss - Alexandria VA, US
David G. Grier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01J 40/14

US Classification:

250221, 250573

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.

US Patent:

7233423, Jun 19, 2007

Filed:

May 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/845758

Inventors:

David G. Grier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 5/32
G02B 1/00
G02B 5/18
G02B 27/44

US Classification:

359 15, 359566, 359900

Abstract:

Static arrays of optical traps can be used to sort microscopic objects with exponential sensitivity to size. Such optical fractionation relies on competition between an externally applied force and the moving objects' differing affinities for optical gradient traps. In a reverse fractionation method, objects that are more strongly influenced by the traps tend to become kinetically locked in to the array and are systematically deflected back into an input flow. In a thermal ratcheting method, patterns are spaced to allow particle diffusion, thus providing the opportunity for forward or reverse movement through the patterns. Unlike other sorting techniques, optical fractionation can operate continuously and can be continuously optimized. The exponential sensitivity arises quite generally from the particle size dependence of the potential wells' apparent widths.

US Patent:

7473890, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Nov 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/285224

Inventors:

David G. Grier - New York NY, US
Marco Polin - New York NY, US
Sang-Hyuk Lee - Rego Park NY, US
Yael Roichman - New York NY, US
Kosta Ladavac - Ridgefield CT, US

Assignee:

New York University - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 3/02

US Classification:

250251, 204299 R, 310363

Abstract:

Holographic optical traps using the forces exerted by computer-generated holograms to trap, move and otherwise transform mesoscopically textured materials. The efficacy of the present invention is based upon the quality and nature of the diffractive optical element used to create the traps and dynamically use them. Further a landscape of potential energy sites can be created and used to manipulate, sort and process objects.

US Patent:

7491928, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Dec 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/633178

Inventors:

Yohai Roichman - New York NY, US
David G. Grier - New York NY, US
Ilias Cholis - New York NY, US

Assignee:

New York University - New York NY

International Classification:

H01S 1/00
G02B 27/00

US Classification:

250251, 250216, 250574, 359641, 359558

Abstract:

A method and system for establishing extended optical traps for commercial use. The method and system employs a diffractive optical element (DOE) to process a light beam wherein the DOE includes phase information and amplitude information to create the extended optical trap. Such extended traps can be line traps and can be further expanded to two and three dimensional configurations.

US Patent:

7546037, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Sep 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/222469

Inventors:

David G. Grier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

New York University - New York NY

International Classification:

H04J 14/02
H04B 10/00
H04B 10/04
H04B 10/06

US Classification:

398 82, 398169, 398170, 398201, 398212

Abstract:

Systems and methods for encoding information in the topology of superpositions of helical modes of light, and retrieving information from each of the superposed modes individually or in parallel. These methods can be applied to beams of light that already carry information through other channels, such as amplitude modulation or wavelength dispersive multiplexing, enabling such beams to be multiplexed and subsequently demultiplexed. The systems and methods of the present invention increase the number of data channels carried by a factor of the number of superposed helical modes.