Dynamic formation of optically trapped microstructure arrays for biosensor applications

We explore the dynamic properties of multiple-beam optical traps to manipulate arrays of microstructures for biosensor applications. Multiple optical traps are generated by a virtually loss-less transformation of input phase patterns into high-intensity trapping-beams. A direct image projection of the phase patterns enables an adjustable number of optical traps in addition to instantaneous control of the position, size, shape and intensity of each trapping-beam. We present experimental results showing various colloidal formations through dynamic optical manipulation of polystyrene microspheres and yeast cells in aqueous media. The experimental configurations are geared towards the use of multiple-beam optical traps for biosensor applications.