Self-aligned spatial filtering using laser optical tweezers.
We present an optical spatial filtering device that has been integrated into a microfluidic system and whose motion and alignment is controlled using a laser optical tweezer. The lithographically patterned micro-optical spatial filter device filters out higher frequency additive noise components by automatically aligning itself in three dimensions to the focus of the laser beam. This self-alignment capability is achieved through the attachment of a refractive optical element directly over the circular aperture or pinhole of the spatial filter. A discussion of two different spatial filter designs is presented along with experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of the self-aligned micro-optic spatial filter.
Birkbeck
Aaron L
AL
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0407, USA. alb@ucsd.edu
Zlatanovic
Sanja
S
Esener
Sadik C
SC
D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D007909:Lenses; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation