Optical tweezing beam control using liquid crystal adaptive optical elements

P.J.W. Hands, S.A. Tatarkova, A.K. Kirby, G.D. Love

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)

Abstract / Description of output

Liquid crystal (LC) adaptive optical elements are described, which provide an alternative to existing micropositioning technologies in optical tweezing. A full description of this work is given in [1]. An adaptive LC prism supplies tip/tilt to the phase profile of the trapping beam, giving rise to an available steering radius within the x-y plane of 10 μm. Additionally, a modally addressed adaptive LC lens provides defocus, offering a z-focal range for the trapping site of 100 μm. The result is full three-dimensional positional control of trapped particle(s) using a simple and wholly electronic control system. Compared to competing technologies, these devices provide a lower degree of controllability, but have the advantage of simplicity, cost and light efficiency. Furthermore, due to their birefringence, LC elements offer the opportunity of the creation of dual optical traps with controllable depth and separation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Subtitle of host publicationOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III
EditorsKishan Dholakia, Gabriel C. Spalding
PublisherSPIE
Pages63262U
Volume6326
ISBN (Print)978-081946405-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Aug 2006
EventSPIE Optics and Photonics - San Diego, United States
Duration: 13 Aug 200617 Aug 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings- Spie the International Society for Optical Engineering
PublisherInternational Society for Optical Engineering
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceSPIE Optics and Photonics
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period13/08/0617/08/06

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Adaptive lens
  • Adaptive optics
  • Beam-steering
  • Liquid crystals
  • Modal addressing
  • Optical tweezing

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