Author(s): R. Di Leonardo, S. Keen, J. Leach, C. D. Saunter, G. D. Love, G. Ruocco and M. J. Padgett

Abstract:

“We use a continuous acquisition, high-speed camera with integrated centroid tracking to simultaneously measure the positions of a ring of micron-sized particles held in holographic optical tweezers. Hydrodynamic coupling between the particles gives a set of eigenmodes, each one independently relaxing with a characteristic decay rate (eigenvalue) that can be measured using our positional data. Despite the finite particle size, we find an excellent agreement between the measured eigenvalues and those numerically predicted by Oseen theory applied to the two-dimensional (2D) ring geometry. Particle motions are also analyzed in terms of the alternative eigenmode set obtained by wrapping onto the ring the eigenmodes of a 1D periodic chain. We identify the modes for which the periodic chain is a good approximation to the ring and those for which it is not.”

Link to Publications Page

Author(s): Sunil K. Sainis, Vincent Germain, Cecile O. Mejean, and Eric R. Dufresne

Abstract:

“We study the electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions of colloidal particles in nonpolar solvents. Using blinking optical tweezers, we can extract the screening length, K^-1, the effective surface potential, |eζ*|, and the hydrodynamic radius, a_h, in a single measurement. We apply this technique to suspensions of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) particles in hexadecane with soluble charge control agents, aerosol sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT) and polyisobutylene succinimide (OLOA-1200). We find that the electrostatic interactions of these particles depend sensitively on surface composition as well as on the concentration and chemistry of the charge control agent.”

Link to Publications Page

Author(s): Lóránd Kelemen, Sándor Valkai, and Pál Ormos

Abstract:

“Photopolymerisation by scanning a focused laser beam is a powerful method to build structures of arbitrary complexity with submicrometer resolution. We introduce parallel photopolymerisation to enhance the efficiency. Instead of multidimensional scanning of a single focus, the structure is generated simultaneously with diffractive patterns. We used fixed diffractive optical elements (DOEs), kinoforms, and Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs). The possibilities of photopolymerisation using SLM were investigated: the added flexibility using the programmable device is demonstrated. By using these DOEs, straight and helical cross shaped columns were produced with a single scan at a rate about an order of magnitude faster than by simple scanning. The produced helical structures could be rotated by optical tweezers.”

Link to Publications Page

Author(s): S. Franke-Arnold, J. Leach, M. J. Padgett, V. E. Lembessis, D. Ellinas, A. J. Wright, J. M. Girkin, P. Ohberg, and A. S. Arnold

Abstract:

“We propose a versatile optical ring lattice suitable for trapping cold and quantum degenerate atomic samples. We demonstrate the realisation of intensity patterns from pairs of Laguerre-Gauss (exp(iℓө) modes with different ℓ indices. These patterns can be rotated by introducing a frequency shift between the modes. We can generate bright ring lattices for trapping atoms in red-detuned light, and dark ring lattices suitable for trapping atoms with minimal heating in the optical vortices of blue-detuned light. The lattice sites can be joined to form a uniform ring trap, making it ideal for studying persistent currents and the Mott insulator transition in a ring geometry. ”

Link to Publications Page

Author(s): D. R. Burnham, G. D. Wright, N. D. Read and D. McGloin

Abstract:

“We report on the ability of holographic light fields to alter the normal growth patterns of filamentous fungi. The light fields are produced on a microscopic scale by borrowing methods from the field of optical tweezers, but without the aim of directly trapping or manipulating objects. Extended light fields are shown to redirect and constrict hyphal tip growth, and induce hyphal branching in a highly reproducible manner. The merits of using discrete and continuous light fields produced using a spatial light modulator are discussed and the use of three-dimensional ‘pseudowalls’ of light to control the growth patterns is reported. We also demonstrate the dependence of hyphal tip growth on the wavelength of light, finding that less power is needed at shorter wavelengths to effect changes in the growth dynamics of fungal hyphae.”

Link to Publications Page