We implemented an integrated time sharing multiple optical trapping system through the synchronisation of high speed voice coil scanning lens and laser pulsing. The integration is achieved by using commonly available optical pickup unit (OPU) that exists inside optical drives. Scanning frequencies of up to 2 kHz were showed to achieve arbitrary distribution of optical traps within the one-dimensional scan range of the voice coil motor. The functions of the system were demonstrated by the imaging and trapping of 1 μm particles and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). The new device circumvents existing bulky laser scanning systems (4f lens systems) with an integrated laser and lens steering platform that can be integrated on a variety of microscopy platforms (confocal, lightsheet, darkfield).

Date Published: 25 August 2017
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 10347, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XIV, 103472O (25 August 2017); doi: 10.1117/12.2273674

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10347:
Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XIV
Kishan Dholakia; Gabriel C. Spalding, Editor(s)