Fiber-optic spanner

Opt Lett. 2012 Dec 15;37(24):5030-2. doi: 10.1364/OL.37.005030.

Abstract

Methods of controllable, noncontact rotation of optically trapped microscopic objects have garnered significant attention for tomographic imaging and microfluidic actuation. Here, we report development of a fiber-optic spanner and demonstrate controlled rotation of smooth muscle cells. The rotation is realized by introducing a transverse offset between two counterpropagating beams emanating from single-mode optical fibers. The rotation speed and surrounding microfluidic flow could be controlled by varying balanced laser beam powers. Further, we demonstrate simultaneous translation and rotation of the fiber-optically trapped cell by varying the laser power of one fiber-optic arm.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Polarity
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation*
  • Cell Tracking / instrumentation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / physiology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / radiation effects
  • Optical Tweezers*
  • Rotation