Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
09:12
Construction of a High Resolution Microscope with Conventional and Holographic Optical Trapping Capabilities
Published on: April 22, 2013
Optical mirror trap with a large field of view
Maximilian Pitzek1, Ruth Steiger, Gregor Thalhammer
1Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Division for Biomedical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, Müllerstr 44, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Optics Express
|December 10, 2009
Summary
This study introduces an optical mirror trap, overcoming limitations of holographic optical tweezers by enabling manipulation of diverse particle sizes over a large area. This method offers a wider field of view and working distance for optical trapping applications.
Area of Science:
- Optical physics
- Nanotechnology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Holographic optical tweezers usually require high numerical aperture objectives, limiting field of view and working distance.
- Existing methods struggle with manipulating a wide range of particle sizes due to these constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an optical mirror trap for particle manipulation.
- To overcome the field of view and working distance limitations of conventional holographic optical tweezers.
- To enable manipulation of a broader range of particle sizes.
Main Methods:
- Experimentally creating an optical mirror trap using reflection of two holographically shaped collinear beams on a mirror.
- Utilizing a spatial light modulator-based holographic method to generate trapping beams.
- Employing a low numerical aperture microscope objective (NA=0.2).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated robust optical three-dimensional trapping in a 1mm x 1mm x 2mm volume.
- Successfully trapped particles ranging from 1.4 µm to 45 µm in size.
- Enabled simultaneous trapping of many beads in complex, dynamic configurations.
- Characterized trap stiffness, maximum trapping force, and capture range.
Conclusions:
- The optical mirror trap offers a large field of view and working distance, suitable for manipulating various particle sizes.
- This technique allows for versatile particle manipulation with potential applications in micro-robotics and advanced microscopy.
- The method is scalable for trapping multiple particles simultaneously.
