Fiber-optic trap-on-a-chip platform for probing low refractive index contrast biomaterials

Appl Opt. 2013 Apr 10;52(11):2340-5. doi: 10.1364/AO.52.002340.

Abstract

Dual-beam fiber trapping is a versatile technique for manipulating microparticles. We fabricate and evaluate the performance of a compact trap-on-a-chip design and demonstrate, for what we believe is the first time, trapping of low-contrast (m<1.005) lipid vesicles in solution. Counterpropagating fibers are fixed along the chip channel, and we calibrate the trap by optically displacing polystyrene microspheres from the trap center. Measured scattering forces are ~30-49 pN from each beam. Stable trapping and reversible deformation of lipid vesicles is demonstrated under femtonewton trapping forces. This chip has applications in probing a variety of soft biomaterials, such as biological cells, lipid membranes, and protein assemblies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / analysis
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation*
  • Membrane Lipids / analysis
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry*
  • Optical Tweezers*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / analysis
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Unilamellar Liposomes