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Li G, Xiong W, Feng H, Feng Z, Kuang T, Lu Z, Han X, He X, Chen X, Yang J, Xiao G. Dual-fiber optical tweezers integrating high-sensitivity structured-light displacement measurement system on fiber end-face. Sci Rep 2025; 15:9221. [PMID: 40097506 PMCID: PMC11914619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/07/2025] [Indexed: 03/19/2025] Open
Abstract
The dual-fiber optical tweezers have become widespread in trapping, assembling, and sensing due to their simple fabrication process and flexible operation. However, the miniaturization and integration of their displacement measurement optical paths remain challenging. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an integration of structured-light displacement (SLD) measurement method tailored for dual-fiber optical tweezers. A key component split-waveplate is integrated onto the fiber end via coating and etching in the SLD method. The etched fiber and another single mode fiber form optical tweezers, which enables to trap particle and measure its position simultaneously without additional optics. More importantly, it demonstrates a superior signal-to-noise ratio after filtering out the trapping field by the etched fiber. Our results demonstrate a displacement sensitivity reaching the 0.1 pm/Hz1/2 level, which surpasses the performance of most results using the quadrant photodiode method. Ultimately, we discussed the possibilities of using two etched fibers to detect displacements in different directions, or integrating this method into a single optical fiber. This method has significant potential applications in precision sensing, contributes to the integration of optical tweezers and fosters the development of lab-on-fiber applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Li
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Haining Feng
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Zijian Feng
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Tengfang Kuang
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Zhechun Lu
- Center of Material Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Han
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Xin He
- Center of Material Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Xinlin Chen
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China
| | - Junbo Yang
- Center of Material Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China.
| | - Guangzong Xiao
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China.
- Nanhu Laser Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, Hunan, China.
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Pope BL, Zhang M, Jo S, Dragnea B, Jacobson SC. Microscale Diffractive Lenses Integrated into Microfluidic Devices for Size-Selective Optical Trapping of Particles. Anal Chem 2024; 96:11845-11852. [PMID: 38976499 PMCID: PMC11606589 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Integration of optical components into microfluidic devices can enhance particle manipulations, separations, and analyses. We present a method to fabricate microscale diffractive lenses composed of aperiodically spaced concentric rings milled into a thin metal film to precisely position optical tweezers within microfluidic channels. Integrated thin-film microlenses perform the laser focusing required to generate sufficient optical forces to trap particles without significant off-device beam manipulation. Moreover, the ability to trap particles with unfocused laser light allows multiple optical traps to be powered simultaneously by a single input laser. We have optically trapped polystyrene particles with diameters of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 μm over microlenses fabricated in chromium and gold films. Optical forces generated by these microlenses captured particles traveling at fluid velocities up to 64 μm/s. Quantitative trapping experiments with particles in microfluidic flow demonstrate size-based differential trapping of neutrally buoyant particles where larger particles required a stronger trapping force. The optical forces on these particles are identical to traditional optical traps, but the addition of a continuous viscous drag force from the microfluidic flow introduces tunable size selectivity across a range of laser powers and fluid velocities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigham L Pope
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Mi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Suhun Jo
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Bogdan Dragnea
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Stephen C Jacobson
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
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Riccardi M, Martin OJF. Electromagnetic Forces and Torques: From Dielectrophoresis to Optical Tweezers. Chem Rev 2023; 123:1680-1711. [PMID: 36719985 PMCID: PMC9951227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Electromagnetic forces and torques enable many key technologies, including optical tweezers or dielectrophoresis. Interestingly, both techniques rely on the same physical process: the interaction of an oscillating electric field with a particle of matter. This work provides a unified framework to understand this interaction both when considering fields oscillating at low frequencies─dielectrophoresis─and high frequencies─optical tweezers. We draw useful parallels between these two techniques, discuss the different and often unstated assumptions they are based upon, and illustrate key applications in the fields of physical and analytical chemistry, biosensing, and colloidal science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Riccardi
- Nanophotonics and Metrology Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), EPFL-STI-NAM, Station 11, CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier J. F. Martin
- Nanophotonics and Metrology Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), EPFL-STI-NAM, Station 11, CH-1015Lausanne, Switzerland
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Lou Y, Ning X, Wu B, Pang Y. Optical trapping using transverse electromagnetic (TEM)-like mode in a coaxial nanowaveguide. FRONTIERS OF OPTOELECTRONICS 2021; 14:399-406. [PMID: 36637761 PMCID: PMC9743861 DOI: 10.1007/s12200-021-1134-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Optical traps have emerged as powerful tools for immobilizing and manipulating small particles in three dimensions. Fiber-based optical traps (FOTs) significantly simplify optical setup by creating trapping centers with single or multiple pieces of optical fibers. In addition, they inherit the flexibility and robustness of fiber-optic systems. However, trapping 10-nm-diameter nanoparticles (NPs) using FOTs remains challenging. In this study, we model a coaxial waveguide that works in the optical regime and supports a transverse electromagnetic (TEM)-like mode for NP trapping. Single NPs at waveguide front-end break the symmetry of TEM-like guided mode and lead to high transmission efficiency at far-field, thereby strongly altering light momentum and inducing a large-scale back-action on the particle. We demonstrate, via finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, that this FOT allows for trapping single 10-nm-diameter NPs at low power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Lou
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiongjie Ning
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Bei Wu
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yuanjie Pang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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Lou Y, Wan X, Pang Y. Nano-optical trapping using an all-dielectric optical fiber supporting a TEM-like mode. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 33:045201. [PMID: 34530419 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac2766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fiber optical tweezers benefit from compact structures and compatibility with fiber optic technology, however, trapping of nano-objects are rarely demonstrated. Here, we predict stable optical trapping of a 30 nm polystyrene particle using an all-dielectric coaxial optical fiber supporting an axisymmetric TEM-like mode. We demonstrate, via comprehensive finite-difference time-domain simulations, that the trapping behavior arises from a significant shift of the fiber-end-fire radiation directivity originated from the nanoparticle-induced symmetry breaking, rather than the gradient force which assumes an invariant optical field. Fabrication of the fiber involved is entirely feasible with existing techniques, such as thermal-drawn and electrospinning, and therefore can be mass-produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhao Lou
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinchen Wan
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjie Pang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China
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Lenton ICD, Scott EK, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H, Favre-Bulle IA. Optical Tweezers Exploring Neuroscience. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:602797. [PMID: 33330435 PMCID: PMC7732537 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.602797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, optical tweezers (OT) have been increasingly used in neuroscience for studies of molecules and neuronal dynamics, as well as for the study of model organisms as a whole. Compared to other areas of biology, it has taken much longer for OT to become an established tool in neuroscience. This is, in part, due to the complexity of the brain and the inherent difficulties in trapping individual molecules or manipulating cells located deep within biological tissue. Recent advances in OT, as well as parallel developments in imaging and adaptive optics, have significantly extended the capabilities of OT. In this review, we describe how OT became an established tool in neuroscience and we elaborate on possible future directions for the field. Rather than covering all applications of OT to neurons or related proteins and molecules, we focus our discussions on studies that provide crucial information to neuroscience, such as neuron dynamics, growth, and communication, as these studies have revealed meaningful information and provide direction for the field into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac C. D. Lenton
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ethan K. Scott
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Itia A. Favre-Bulle
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Ehtaiba JM, Gordon R. Beaming light through a bow-tie nanoaperture at the tip of a single-mode optical fiber. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:14112-14120. [PMID: 31163864 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.014112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate coupling and directivity enhancement of electromagnetic fields emerging from a single metallic nanoaperture at the tip of a single-mode optical fiber. We achieve this by using circular grooves flanking the nanoaperture perforated in a 100 nm thick gold film. The film with nanostructure is transferred to the fiber tip by aligned stripping with optical epoxy. When incident from both sides of the nanoaperture, enhancement factors of 2.2 and 2.4 in power coupling into the fiber and in beaming into free-space were obtained. Numerical simulations show that the optimum grating period is nearly identical to the surface plasmon polariton wavelength that can be supported at the gold-epoxy interface. This integrated platform couples light between the single mode fiber and the nanoapeture without the need for cumbersome optics, with applications for optical trapping and single-photon detection.
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