Optical rotation and cell control based on the LP21 mode and a tapered microcavity optical waveguide

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Precise manipulation of biological cells is crucial for various research and medical applications.
• Existing optical manipulation techniques often lack the versatility for complex rotational control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a single-fiber optical tweezers probe capable of dual-mode, high-precision rotational manipulation of cells.
• To demonstrate "orbital" and "spin" rotation capabilities for applications in cell biology and beyond.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a tapered microcavity optical waveguide with the fiber's LP21 mode.
• Achieved "orbital rotation" by controlling fiber twist angle to rotate the LP21 mode spot.
• Induced "spin rotation" by adjusting fiber stretching to modulate spot energy and create an optical vortex.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated controlled "orbital rotation" of trapped cells along a microtube wall.
• Achieved controlled "spin rotation" of cells using an optically induced vortex.
• Integrated both rotational modes into a single-fiber probe.

Conclusions:

• The developed single-fiber optical tweezers offer a reliable tool for precise cell rotation.
• This technique has broad applications in biological motor research, artificial erythrocyte preparation, and polarized cell analysis.
• Potential impact spans chemical synthesis, biomedicine, and fundamental scientific research.