title: Microinstrument gradient-force optical trap.
abstract: A micromachined fiber-optic trap is presented. The trap consists of four single-mode, 1064-nm optical intersection. The beam fibers mounted in a micromachined silicon and glass housing. Micromachining provides the necessary precision to align the four optical fibers so that the outputs have a common intersection forms a strong three-dimensional gradient-force trap with trapping forces comparable with that of optical tweezers. Characterization of the multibeam fiber trap is illustrated for capture of polystyrene microspheres, computer simulations of the trap stiffness, and experimental determination of the trapping forces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. collins@ece.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Baskin
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Howitt
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D008851:Micropore Filters; D008863:Microspheres; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010316:Particle Size; D011137:Polystyrenes; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes