Jennifer Gillian Curtis

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.