JP2004534661A5 - - Google Patents

Description

Improved apparatus, system and method for applying a light gradient force

  The present invention relates to optical traps. In particular, the invention relates to devices, systems and methods for applying a light gradient force to form a plurality of light traps for manipulating microparticles.

  Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. In order to more fully describe the state of the art related to the present invention, the disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety in this application.

  Optical tweezers are optical tools that use the gradient force of a focused light beam to manipulate particles having a higher dielectric constant than the surrounding medium. To minimize that energy, move such particles to the area where the electric field is highest. In terms of moments, the focused light beam generates radiation pressure, which produces small forces by the absorption, reflection, diffraction or refraction of light by particles. The power caused by the radiation pressure is almost negligible ... a light source such as a diode-pumped Nd: YAG laser operating at 10 mW only produces a few picoNewtons. However, a few picoNewtons of force are sufficient to manipulate microparticles.

  Other optical tools that can be used to manipulate microparticles include optical vortexes, optical bottles, optical rotators, optical cages, and the like. Not limited. Optical vortices are similar in use to optical tweezers, but operate on the opposite principle. The optical vortex creates a gradient surrounding the region of zero electric field, which helps to manipulate particles with a lower dielectric constant than the surrounding medium, or other types of particles that repel reflective or optical tweezers. To minimize its energy, such particles are moved to the region where the electric field is lowest, ie, the zero electric field region at the focus of the nearly shaped laser beam. Optical vortices provide a region of zero electric field, such as a hole in a donut (toroid). The light gradient is radial and has the highest electric field around the circumference of the donut. Optical vortexes confine the microparticles inside the donut hole. This constraint is achieved by sliding the vortex over the microparticle along a line of zero electric field.

  Optical bottles differ from optical vortices in that they have a zero electric field only at the focus and a non-zero electric field at the end of the vortex. Optical bottles are useful for trapping atoms and nanoclusters that are too small or too absorptive for trapping with optical vortex or optical tweezers. J. Aalto and M. J. Paget, "Generating a Beam with Dark Focus Surrounded by a High Brightness Area, Optical Bottle Beam," Optical Letters 25, pp. 191-193. 2000 (Non-Patent Document 1).

  The optical rotator is a recently described optical tool that provides a pattern of spiral arms for trapping objects. The trapped object is rotated by changing the pattern. El Patterson, MP McDonald, Jay Aalto, W. Civet, P. Bryand, and Keidralia, "Controlled Rotation of Optically Trapped Fine Particles", Science 292, pp. 912-914. 2001 (Non-Patent Document 2). This class of tools is useful for manipulating non-spherical particles and driving MEMS devices or nanomachines.

  Optical cages are described by Neil in US Pat. No. 5,939,716, which is broadly a macroscopic optical vortex. The light cage forms an optical vortex ring to surround particles that are too large or too reflective or have a lower dielectric constant than the surrounding medium. If the optical vortex is like a donut, the light cage is like a donut with jelly. The jellyfill is a region where the electric field is low, whereas the donut hole (with respect to vortex) is the region of zero electric field. Generally, the gradient force of the optical tweezers forming the donut directs particles of a lower dielectric constant than the surrounding medium to jelly, which may also be a less bright region located between the optical tweezers. "Push". However, unlike vortexing, a region of non-zero electric field is created.

  It is known in the art to use a single beam of laser light with a diffractive optical element to form a plurality of focused laser beams to form an array of optical traps. U.S. Patent No. 6,055,106 to Greer and Dufres describes an array of optical traps. This patent teaches using a physical transfer lens to direct the diffracted laser beam to an opening behind the focus lens. A plurality of physical lenses are used to direct the laser beam and overlap the aperture behind the focus lens with sufficient overlap to obtain an effective numerical aperture (NA) of at least about 0.8. This effective numerical aperture is necessary to trap and manipulate particles in three dimensions, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,169 to Chu and Kronis. It is considered to be the minimum NA. Disadvantages of the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,106 are that each lens requires a significant amount of physical space to operate within it, and that each lens is serviced, It must be cleaned and arranged. Those familiar with transfer lens systems will appreciate that the more lenses in the system, the greater the chance of misalignment and other maintenance issues. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the number of lenses in a transfer lens system used to form an array of optical traps. The present invention fulfills this need.

A common technique for monitoring the activity of an optical trap described in US Pat. No. 6,055,106 is to place a beam splitter in the path of a laser beam and thereby obtain optical data. To create a stream. One limitation of this approach is the adverse effect that noise has on the optical data stream. With respect to optical traps, noise refers to the undiffracted focused beam of light or energy in the system, the light emanating from the optical trap, and lens defects in the physical transfer lens system due to lens defects, dust, or dust. Refers to interference with the imaging, measurement and / or observation of light traps, their contents or surrounding areas, due to the presence of reflected or diffracted light. One method of reducing noise, as taught in US Pat. No. 6,055,106, directs the laser beam at an oblique angle to the diffractive element, so that it is not diffracted. The objective is to keep the beam away from the objective lens. While useful for its intended purpose, other sources of noise remain. There is a need to reduce or eliminate noise caused by laser light scattered and reflected from the system components that create the undiffracted laser beam and the array of optical traps. The present invention fulfills this and other needs, and provides related advantages.
J. Aalto and M. J. Paget, "Generating a Beam with Dark Focus Surrounded by a High Brightness Area, Optical Bottle Beam," Optical Letters 25, pp. 191-193. 2000 years. El Patterson, MP McDonald, Jay Aalto, W. Civet, P. Bryand, and Keidralia, "Controlled Rotation of Optically Trapped Fine Particles", Science 292, pp. 912-914. 2001. U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,716 U.S. Patent No. 6,055,106 U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,169

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a “subject of the invention” that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

  The present invention provides new and improved methods, systems and devices for creating, monitoring and controlling optical trap arrays using a single physical transfer lens. The invention also eliminates "noise" caused by scattered, undiffracted, and reflected light in the system, or improves monitoring and control of light traps removed by shutters.

Multiple transfer lenses are eliminated or reduced by encoding the lens function into a diffractive optical element in a system that creates multiple optical traps. The diffractive optical element also changes any phase of the beam. By encoding the diffractive optics to converge multiple beams, the invention moves a plurality of beams into an aperture behind the objective lens and superimposes them through a single physical Creates an advantageous situation for using a dynamic transfer lens.

In its basic form, the invention (FIG. 1A) is a focused beam of light or energy, such as a single laser beam diffracted by an encoded diffractive optical element with lens function. This laser beam is diffracted into a plurality of beams, each of which is also focused by a diffractive element and then directed to a single transfer lens. A single transfer lens directs these multiple beams to an opening behind a focus lens (such as a microscope objective), thereby forming multiple optical traps. To change the position of any light trap, the beam forming that trap may be steered to a new position via a diffractive optical element, thereby changing the position of the resulting light trap. A movable mirror may be added to change the position of all the optical traps simultaneously as a unit (FIGS. 1D, 1E, 2 and 4). In some cases, movement of a single transfer lens may also be desirable to change the position of any light traps.

  The selective generation and control of an array of optical traps with a single lens transfer system can be performed, for example, in the design and manufacture of optical circuits, in the construction of nanocomposites, in the manufacture of electronic components, in optoelectronics, chemical and biological Assembling sensor arrays, holographic data storage matrices, energy sources or optical motors driving MEMS, promoting combinatorial chemistry, promoting self-organization of colloids, querying biological materials, selecting biological It may be useful in a wide variety of commercial applications, such as enriching materials, investigating the properties of biological materials, and examining biological materials.

  In some embodiments of the invention (FIGS. 2-4), a beam splitter is placed in the beam's path in front of the focus lens and the optical data stream is filtered to limit the passage of undiffracted scattered or reflected light. By introducing a filter along to reduce such noise, it is possible to view the activity of the light trap array in real time. This noise can interfere with monitoring the optical data stream in video or other ways. A movable mirror that is useful for adjusting the position of the entire light trap array may be combined with the beam splitter (FIGS. 2 and 3) or added to the system (FIG. 4).

  Providing noise reduction by periodically blocking the laser light with a shutter (FIG. 3) and monitoring the optical data stream and / or by shuttering the optical data stream when the laser is on. Is also good.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows and the accompanying drawings. In these, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Alternatively, one may learn preferred embodiments of the invention by practicing the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

  That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of movable optical traps, comprising: generating a focused light beam and converting the focused light beam to a phase having a variable optical surface. Directing the patterning optical element to form a plurality of beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optical element, each beamlet having a phase profile, and directing the beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element to the phase patterning optical element Converging at a position between the phase patterning optical element and a single transfer lens, passing the beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element through the single transfer lens to form an aperture behind a focus lens. The beamlets are superimposed on each other and the beamlets emitted from the focus lens are By bundle, characterized in that it comprises forming a plurality of optical traps.

  The method may further include changing the converging position of at least one beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element by changing the optical surface to change the location of at least one light trap.

  The optical trap may be selected from the group consisting of an optical tweezer, an optical vortex, an optical bottle, an optical rotator, an optical cage, and combinations thereof.
  The method may further include changing the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optical element by changing the optical surface.
  The method may further include manipulating biological material with the light trap.

  The focused light beam may be a laser beam. The wavelength of the laser beam may be a green spectrum. The wavelength of the laser beam may be selected from a range of about 400 nm to about 1060 nm.
  Prior to overlapping the beamlets at the aperture behind the focus lens, the method may further include steering the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group with a movable mirror.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of movable optical traps, comprising: generating a focused energy beam; and applying the focused energy beam to a phase pattern having a variable optical surface. Guiding the beamlets to form a plurality of beamlets, converging the beamlets with the phase patterning optics, passing the beamlets through a single transfer lens, and passing the beamlets through an aperture behind a focus lens. And converging the beamlets emitted from the focus lens to form a plurality of optical traps.

  The method may further include altering the convergence of at least one beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element by altering the optical surface to alter an arrangement of at least one optical trap.

  The method may further include forming two or more different types of optical traps selected from optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, and optical cage.

  The method may further include changing the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets with the phase patterning optical element.
  The focused energy beam may be electromagnetic wave energy.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming and monitoring a plurality of movable optical traps, comprising: generating a focused light beam and directing the focused light beam to a phase patterning optical element. Directing and forming a plurality of beamlets emanating from the phase-patterning optical element having a variable optical surface, each beamlet having a phase profile, and directing the beamlet emanating from the phase-patterning optical element to the phase-patterning optical element. An element converging at a position between the phase patterning optical element and a single transfer lens, passing the beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element through a single transfer lens, and passing the beamlet at the surface of a beam splitter. To produce two streams of beamlets, said beam splitter A first stream of beamlets is reflected into an opening behind the focus lens, a second stream of beamlets is reflected to form an optical data stream, and the beamlets emanating from the focus lens are converged to a plurality. Forming an optical trap.

  The method may further include changing the convergence of at least one beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element to change the location of at least one light trap.

  The method may further include forming two or more different types of optical traps selected from the group consisting of optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, and optical cage.

  The method may further include varying at least one of the phase profiles of the beamlets with the phase patterning optics.

  The method may further include manipulating biological material with the light trap. The focused light beam may be a laser beam. The wavelength of the laser beam may be a green spectrum. The wavelength of the single laser beam may be selected from a range of about 400 nm to about 1060 nm.

  The method may further include steering the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group with a movable mirror before overlapping the beamlets at an opening behind the focus lens.

  The method may further include converting the optical data stream to a video signal. The method may further include obtaining and analyzing a spectrum of the optical data stream.
  The method may further include receiving the optical data stream at a computer. Changing the optical surface may be instructed by a computer.
  The method may further include altering the optical surface to change an arrangement of at least one optical trap in response to the analyzed spectrum of the optical data stream.

  The method may further include changing the optical surface to change an arrangement of the at least one optical trap in response to the video signal.

  The method may further include removing all but a preselected wavelength of light from the optical data stream.
  The method may further include removing one or more preselected light wavelengths from the optical data stream.

  The method includes the step of blocking the optical data stream such that the optical data stream is blocked when the focused light beam is not being generated and the optical data stream is not blocked when the focused light beam is being generated. The method may further include selectively generating an illuminated light beam and selectively blocking or not blocking the optical data stream.

  The method includes selectively blocking or not blocking the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics from passing through the beam splitter, and selecting the optical data stream when blocking the beamlets. Monitoring may be further included.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, an apparatus for generating at least two optical traps, receiving a focused light beam and diffracting it into at least two beamlets, each having a phase profile. A phase-patterning optical element, and a virtual lens encoded within the phase-patterning optical element, which focuses each beamlet emanating from the phase-patterning optical element at a location between the phase-patterning optical element and a single transfer lens. A single transfer lens for guiding the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optical element and superimposing the beamlets at an opening behind a focus lens, and converging each beamlet emitted from the transfer lens to form the optical trap. The focus lens forming And's, superimposing said beamlets behind the opening of the focusing lens, characterized by comprising a single transfer lens between the focusing lens and the phase patterning optical element.

  The single transfer lens may be movable. The phase patterning optical element may have a static surface. The static surface may be repositionable to align different portions of the static surface to receive the light beam. The static surface may consist of two or more discontinuous, heterogeneous regions. The static surface may change substantially continuously.

  The phase patterning optical element is formed of at least one of a group consisting of a grating, a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and a hologram. It may be selected.
  The phase patterning optic may be dynamic. Altering the encoded virtual lens selectively may alter the number of beamlets emanating therefrom.

  Selectively changing the encoded virtual lens may change the convergence position of at least one of the beamlets emanating therefrom.
  Altering the phase patterning optic selectively may alter the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets emanating therefrom.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for generating and monitoring at least two optical traps, comprising: receiving a focused light beam and converting it to at least two beamlets, each having a phase profile; A phase-patterning optical element diffracting light into the phase-patterning optical element, and converging each beamlet emanating from the phase-patterning optical element at a position between the phase-patterning optical element and a single transfer lens. A lens, a single transfer lens that directs the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics to overlap on a surface of a beam splitter, and two beamlets that receive the beamlets emanating from the single transfer lens. Create a stream, Said beam splitters reflecting a first stream of beamlets to an opening behind a focus lens and a second stream of beamlets to form an optical data stream; and each beamlet emanating from said beam splitter. And the focus lens that forms at least two optical traps.

  The single transfer lens may be movable. The phase patterning optical element may have a static surface. The static surface may be repositionable to line up different portions of the static surface to receive the light beam. The static surface may consist of two or more discontinuous, heterogeneous regions. The static surface may change substantially continuously.

  The phase patterning optical element is at least one of a group consisting of a grating, a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and a hologram. One may be selected from one.

  The phase patterning optic may be dynamic. The dynamic phase patterning optics may be selectively variable, so that the number of beamlets emanating therefrom can be varied.
  The dynamic phase patterning optics may be selectively variable, so that it is possible to change the convergence position of each individual beamlet emanating therefrom.
  The dynamic phase patterning optics may be selectively alterable, thereby altering the phase profile of each individual beamlet emanating therefrom.

  The phase patterning optical element includes a computer-generated variable diffraction pattern, a variable phase shift material, a variable liquid crystal phase shift array, a micromirror array, a piston mode micromirror array, a spatial light modulator, an electro-optic deflector, an acousto-optic modulator. At least one of the group consisting of a vessel, a deformable mirror, and a reflective MEMS array.

  The beam splitter is a stationary omnidirectional mirror, a stationary optical bandgap mirror, a stationary dichroic mirror, a movable omnidirectional mirror, a movable optical bandgap mirror, and a movable dichroic mirror. It may be selected from at least one.

  And a movable mirror disposed upstream of the transfer lens and for steering the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optical element as a group before overlapping the beamlets at an opening behind the focus lens. May be.
  A telescope lens system may be further provided between the movable mirror and the focus lens.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for creating and monitoring a plurality of optical traps, which receives a single laser beam and converts it into at least two beamlets, each having a phase profile. A dynamic diffractive optical element that diffracts, and a virtual encoded in the diffractive optical element that focuses the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optical element at a location between the phase patterning optical element and a single transfer lens. A lens, a single transfer lens that directs the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics to overlap on a surface of a beam splitter, and two beamlets that receive the beamlets emanating from the single transfer lens. Create stream, and beamlet first A beam splitter that reflects the stream to an aperture behind the focus lens and reflects a second stream of beamlets to form an optical data stream; and converges at least two beamlets emanating from the beam splitter. And the focus lens forming two optical traps.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for generating a plurality of optical traps for manipulating microparticles, comprising a plurality of microparticles, a light source for generating a focused light beam, And a phase patterning optical element for receiving the focused light beam and diffracting it into at least two beamlets each having a phase profile, and each beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element Focusing at a position between the phase patterning optical element and a single transfer lens, the virtual lens encoded in the phase patterning optical element, the phase patterning optical element, and a focus lens through which each beamlet passes. Wherein the single transfer lens is located between A single transfer lens as superimposed at the opening behind the focusing lens and at least two optical traps, each capable of manipulating one of a plurality of microparticles, A focus lens for converging each beamlet emitted from the lens.

  The single transfer lens may be movable. The light trap may move in response to movement of the single transfer lens. The phase patterning optical element may have a variable optical surface. The phase patterning optical element may have a static surface. The static surface may be movable to match the focused light beam to a selected area of the static surface. The static surface may consist of two or more discontinuous, heterogeneous regions. The static surface may be changing substantially continuously.

  The phase patterning optical element is at least one of a group consisting of a grating, a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and a hologram. One may be selected from one.

  The phase patterning optic may be dynamic. The phase patterning optical element includes a computer-generated variable diffraction pattern, a variable phase shift material, a variable liquid crystal phase shift array, a micromirror array, a piston mode micromirror array, a spatial light modulator, an electro-optic deflector, an acousto-optic modulator. At least one of the group consisting of a vessel, a deformable mirror, and a reflective MEMS array.

  The computer may further include a computer for selectively changing the phase patterning optical element. At least some of the plurality of microparticles may be a biological material.

  The light source may be a laser, and the focused light beam may be a laser beam having a wavelength in a green spectrum.
  The light source may be a laser, and the focused light beam may be a laser beam having a wavelength selected from a range of about 400 nm to about 1060 nm.

  Before the beamlets are superimposed on the opening behind the focus lens, a movable mirror for steering the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optical element as a group may be further provided.

  A telescope lens system may be further provided downstream from the single lens and before the focus lens.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for manipulating microparticles using an optical trap, comprising a plurality of microparticles, a light source for generating a focused light beam, and a focused light beam. And a phase patterning optical element that receives the focused light beam and diffracts it into at least two beamlets, each having a phase profile, and converts each beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element to the phase patterning optical element. A virtual lens encoded within the phase patterning optics, which converges at a location between the element and a single transfer lens, and receives the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics and produces two streams of beamlets. Produces a first stream of beamlets with an aperture behind the focus lens A beam splitter that reflects the second stream of beamlets so as to form an optical data stream, the phase patterning optics, and the focus lens through which each beamlet passes. A single transfer lens, wherein each beamlet is superimposed at an aperture behind the focus lens, each of which manipulates one of the plurality of microparticles. It comprises at least two possible optical traps and a monitor of said optical data stream.

  The single transfer lens may be movable. The light trap may move in response to movement of the single transfer lens. The phase patterning optical element may have a variable optical surface. The phase patterning optical element may have a static surface. The static surface may be movable to selectively focus the focused light beam on a selected area of the static surface.

  The static surface may consist of discontinuous, heterogeneous regions. The static surface may be changing substantially continuously.

  The phase patterning optical element is at least one of a group consisting of a grating, a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and a hologram. It may be selected from one.
  The phase patterning optic may be dynamic.
  The phase patterning optical element includes a computer-generated variable diffraction pattern, a variable phase shift material, a variable liquid crystal phase shift array, a micromirror array, a piston mode micromirror array, a spatial light modulator, an electro-optic deflector, an acousto-optic modulator. At least one of the group consisting of a vessel, a deformable mirror, and a reflective MEMS array.
  The computer may further include a computer for selectively controlling the dynamic phase patterning optical element.

  At least some of the plurality of microparticles may be a biological material.
  The light source may be a laser, and the focused light beam may be a laser beam having a green spectrum wavelength.
  The light source may be a laser, and the focused light beam may be a laser beam having a wavelength selected from a range of about 400 nm to about 1060 nm.
  Before the beamlets are superimposed on the opening behind the focus lens, a movable mirror for steering the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optical element as a group may be further provided.

  A telescope lens system may be further provided downstream from the single lens and before the focus lens.
  The monitor may be a human monitor. The monitor may be a video monitor.
  The system may further comprise means for converting the optical data stream into a digital data stream. The optical data stream may further include a spectrometer for generating a spectrum.
  The computer may further include a computer that receives the digital data stream by converting the optical data stream into a digital data stream.
  The computer may further include a computer that receives and processes the optical data stream into a digital data stream and changes the location of at least one of the optical traps based on information in the optical data stream.

  Before superposing the beamlets at the opening behind the focus lens, the computer may further comprise a computer for causing a movable mirror to steer the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group.
  A computer for analyzing the spectrum; and a computer for causing the movable mirror to steer the beamlet emitted from the phase patterning optical element before overlapping the beamlet at the opening behind the focus lens. May be.

  The optical data stream may further include a polarization filter or a bandpass filter disposed in a path of the optical data stream.
  The system may further comprise a shutter that selectively blocks the optical data stream when the focused light beam is on and does not block the optical data stream when the focused light beam is off. .
  The system may further include a shutter for selectively blocking the collected light beam when the optical data stream is being monitored.

  The light source that generates the focused light beam may be a laser, and the focused light beam may be a laser beam.
  A first shutter that selectively blocks the laser beam when the optical data stream is being monitored, and selectively blocks the optical data stream when the laser beam is on and the laser beam is off And a second shutter that does not block said optical data stream when.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical system for monitoring and manipulating microparticles, comprising: a source of a single beam of focused energy; A dynamic diffractive optical element, a plurality of focused beamlets generated by directing the single beam to the optical element, a focus lens, and an optical path of the focused beamlet. Creating two streams of beamlets, reflecting the first stream of beamlets in an overlapping manner at the opening behind the focus lens, and forming the second stream of beamlets into an optical data stream. A beam splitter that reflects light from the optical element and the beam splitter. Ku and movable single lens, characterized in that it comprises at least two optical traps are formed by the convergence of the beamlets passing through the focus lens, and a monitor for the optical data stream.

  The source of the single beam of focused energy is a solid state laser, a diode pumped laser, a gas laser, a dye laser, an alexandrite laser, a free electron laser, a VCSEL laser, a diode laser, a Ti-sapphire laser, a doped YAG laser, It may be selected from the group consisting of a YLF laser, a diode pumped YAG laser, a flashlamp pumped YAG laser, a light emitting diode and a light emitting diode with an integrated collimating element.
  The focused light beam may be electromagnetic wave energy. The light trap may move in response to movement of the single lens. The change in the arrangement of the light traps may be caused by at least one change in the optical element.

  Each optical trap may be selected from the group consisting of optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, and optical cage.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of movable optical traps, comprising: generating a focused light beam; guiding the focused light beam to a phase patterning optical element; Forming a plurality of beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optical element, each beamlet having a phase profile, wherein the beam pattern emanating from the phase patterning optical element is coupled to the phase patterning optical element with the phase patterning optical element. The beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optical element is converged at a position between the single transfer lens and the beamlet emitted from the phase patterning optical element is passed through the single transfer lens by a movable mirror, and the beamlet is formed at an opening behind a focus lens. Stack the beamlets and combine the beamlets emitted from the focus lens By bundle and forming a plurality of optical traps.

  The method may further include moving the mirror to change an arrangement of at least one optical trap.

  The optical trap may be selected from the group consisting of optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, optical cage, and combinations thereof. The method may further include manipulating biological material with the light trap.

  In the following specification, certain terms are used for convenience and reference, and not for limitation. A simple definition is shown below.

  A. "Beamlet" refers to diffracting a beam, such as light generated by a laser or a collimated output from a light emitting diode, or a focused beam of other energy sources, into two or more sub-beams Refers to a sub-beam of focused light or other energy source generated by passing through a medium. One example of a beamlet is a higher order laser beam diffracted from a grating.

  B. "Phase profile" refers to the phase of light or other energy source in the cross section of the beam.

  C. "Phase patterning" refers to imparting a focused phase beam of light, another energy source or beamlet, with a patterned phase shift that alters its phase profile. Including, but not limited to, phase modulation, mode shaping, splitting, convergence, divergence, shaping, and other steering of the focused beam.

  Various embodiments of the inventive apparatus for forming a plurality of movable light traps are indicated generally at 8 and are shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, a movable array of light traps is formed by generating a focused beam of energy, such as electromagnetic wave energy. In a preferred embodiment, the electromagnetic wave is a light wave, preferably having a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 1060 nm, and more preferably having a wavelength in the green spectrum. This beam is formed, for example, from a collimated output from a light emitting diode or preferably from a collimated light such as the laser beam 10 shown in FIGS.

  The focused light beam is directed along an optical axis 500 through a phase patterning optic having a variable optical surface, such as a diffractive optical element 12 having a variable optical surface, to form a plurality of beams having a selected phase profile. Generates let 32 and 33 (two shown). The optical element is arranged substantially in a plane conjugate to the plane 15 of the opening 16 behind the focus lens, such as the objective lens 18. Changing the optical surface of the diffractive optical element changes the beamlet.

A virtual lens is encoded in the diffractive optical element 12 and converges the plurality of beamlets to a position between the encoded diffractive optical lens and a single transfer lens. After converging, the converted beamlets emanating from the diffractive optical element are directed through a transfer lens such that the beamlets overlap at an aperture behind a focus lens, such as objective lens 18. The beamlets are then converged by the focus lens to form a plurality of optical traps 1002 and 1004 within the working focal area 2000. The working focus area 2000 is the area where the medium containing the particles 3000 or other material 3002 to be investigated, measured or manipulated by the optical traps 1002 and 1004 is located.

  Any suitable laser can be used as a source of the laser beam 10. Useful lasers include solid state lasers, diode pumped lasers, gas lasers, dye lasers, alexandrite lasers, free electron lasers, VCSEL lasers, diode lasers, Ti-sapphire lasers, doped YAG lasers, doped YLF lasers, diode pumped YAG lasers, and There is a flashlamp pumped YAG laser. A diode-pumped Nd: YAG laser operating between 10 mW and 5 mW is preferred.

When the condensed light beam 10 is directed through the diffractive optical element 12 which is encoded, the encoded diffractive optical element produces a plurality of diffracted beamlets 32 and 33 the phase pro fail altered. This alteration of the phase profile can include wavefront shaping, phase shifting, steering, divergence and convergence, depending on the type of optical trap desired, optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, optical cage and Form different types of optical traps, including different types of combinations. For clarity, only two diffracted beamlets and two corresponding optical tweezers 1002 and 1004 are shown, but it is not possible that an array of such beamlets would be created by the encoded diffractive optical element. You can understand.
The placement of each trap is selectively controlled by the encoded diffractive optical element. It is an important feature of the present invention that the movement of each trap is selectively controllable in rotation in a fixed position, rotation in an unfixed position, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, and continuously and stepwise. It is. Control is achieved by changing the surface of the diffractive optical element through which the beam passes, thereby changing the converging position of the beamlets emanating from the encoded diffractive optical element.

  Suitable diffractive optics are characterized as transmissive or reflective, depending on how to direct the focused light beam. The transmissive diffractive optical element focuses the light beam as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, while the reflective diffractive optical element reflects the beam as shown in FIG. 1C.

  Within the two broad groups, the diffractive optical elements are distinguished from being formed from static media or from dynamic media. Examples of suitable static diffractive optics include those having a fixed surface such as a grating. The grating includes a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and the like.

  A static diffractive optical element may have different regions, each region configured to provide a different phase profile for the beamlet. In such an embodiment, the surface of the static diffractive optical element is moved in relation to the laser beam 10 to change the desired properties imparted to the beamlet, ie, of the resulting beamlet. Can be changed by selecting an appropriate region to change at least one desired phase profile. In some embodiments, the static surface includes two or more discontinuous, heterogeneous regions. In other embodiments, the static surface is changing substantially continuously.

Examples of suitable dynamic diffractive optics that have a time-dependent aspect to function include computer generated variable diffraction patterns, variable phase shift materials, variable liquid crystal phase shift arrays, micro Includes mirror arrays, piston mode micromirror arrays, spatial light modulators, electro-optic deflectors, acousto-optic modulators, deformable mirrors, reflective MEMS arrays, etc. With dynamic diffractive optics, the features of the encoded surface can be altered, for example by a computer, to change the number of beamlets, the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets, and the arrangement of at least one of the beamlets. It is.

The virtual lens encoded on the diffractive optical element changes the phase of light incident on the optical element. A typical virtual lens is, for example, a pattern similar to a Fresnel lens encoded in a reflective grating or nematic liquid crystal orientation. A virtual lens is distinguishable from a physical lens, which affects all of the beamlets 32 and 33 as a whole, as a virtual element that can independently change the relative position of each beamlet 32,33. Effect.

  The diffractive optical element is also useful for giving a specific phase mode (topological mode) to the laser light. Thus, it is possible that one beamlet 32 is formed in Gaussian-Laguerre mode and the other beamlet 33 is formed in Gaussian mode.

Preferred virtual lens encoded diffractive optics are phase-only such as `` PAL-SLM Series X7665 '' manufactured by Hamamatsu of Japan or `` SLM512SA7 '' manufactured by Boulder-Nonlinear Systems of Lafayette, CO. Includes a spatial light modulator. These encoded diffractive optical elements are computer controllable and multifunctional. Thus, these diffractive optical elements can generate beamlets 32 and 33 by diffracting laser beam 10 and selectively imparting desired characteristics to the resulting beamlets.

Each of the diffracted beamlets originates from area A on the front surface 13 of the encoded diffractive optical element. Each must also pass through a region B on the rear opening 16. The beamlets thereby overlap at the opening 16 behind the objective lens 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, nearly accurate overlap is efficiently achieved by combining a diffractive optical element encoded in a virtual lens with a single movable downstream optical lens L1.

  The laser beam 10 preferably has a beam diameter w that corresponds to the diameter of the rear opening 16, so that the opening 16 behind the objective lens 18 has little or no fullness, It is an advantage of the inventive system that it not only conserves the intensity of the beam 10 but also maintains the intensity of the electric field gradient that creates the desired pattern of effective optical traps 1002 and 1004 within the operating focal region 2000.

  It is described from a mathematical point of view. Assume that the effective NA for establishing a gradient force sufficient to form an optical trap is 0.8, and that the effective NA is the equation NA = n * sinφ / 2. Here, n represents the refractive index of the medium outside the objective lens, and φ is the convergence angle of the diffracted beam. Assuming that an oil immersion objective with a refractive index of 1.5 is used, to maintain an effective NA of 0.8, φ forms an optical trap effective to manipulate particles in three dimensions. It must be maintained at least 66 degrees during the movement of the light trap to maintain it.

  Alternatively, if a too large focus lens having a rear opening that is too large for the laser beam 10 is used, an effective optical trap can be formed without filling the rear opening 16. However, such lenses will require more physical space and may be more costly.

Turning to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, a controllable array of optical traps places the laser beam 10 substantially in a plane 14 ′ that forms an acute angle β with respect to the optical axis 500. It is formed by passing through a diffractive optical element 12 encoded with a virtual lens. In this embodiment, the beamlets 32 and 33 emanating from the area A on the front surface of the encoded diffractive optical element are guided by the diffractive optical element, pass through the opening 16 behind the objective lens 18 and move to the working focus. Optical traps 1002 and 1004 are formed in the area 2000. By changing the position of the laser beam 10 with respect to the optical axis 500, a portion of the undiffracted light 34 is removed, which reduces the noise generated by the undiffracted light 34, thereby increasing the efficiency of forming the optical traps 1002 and 1004. And increase its effectiveness. In addition, non-moving optical traps (not shown) that can form undiffracted portions of the laser beam when guided along the optical axis as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C are eliminated. .

FIG. 1C shows an alternative embodiment in which a controllable array of light traps is formed by reflecting a laser beam 10 from a diffractive optical element 12 "having an encoded virtual lens.

1D and 1E show an alternative embodiment having a movable mirror 41 that steers the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optics as a group before overlapping the beamlets at the aperture behind the focus lens. . The movable mirror 41 is arranged upstream of the transfer lens L1 such that the center of rotation is in the area C. A representative beamlet 32 passes from the region A on the front surface 13 of the encoded diffractive optical element 12 through the transfer lens L1 to the region C, which reflects the beamlet to the region B of the rear opening 16. I do. Tilting the movable mirror 41 has the effect of changing the angle of incidence of the beamlet 32 with respect to the mirror 41 and can be used to translate the array of optical traps 1002 and 1004.

  This movable mirror accurately aligns the light trap array within a stationary substrate to dynamically enhance the light trap during fast oscillating displacements of small amplitude, and provides the same number of pulses to the light trap. It is useful both to effectively increase trapping activity by precisely changing the position of the array of light traps, while forming two or more alternating sets of light traps from the beamlets.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1D minimizes beamlet displacement by including a conventional telescope system 42 between the movable mirror 41 and the objective 18. The telescope system consists of two lenses L2 and L3 placed between the conjugate planes 43 and 45, the beamlets being from the area A on the front face 13 of the encoded diffractive optical element 12 to the area C on the face 43. Reaches the center of rotation of the beam splitter 51 and passes through a region B on the opening 16 behind the objective lens 18 in the plane 44. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E, the movable mirror 41 is placed very close to the rear opening 16 to minimize beamlet displacement.

With the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to observe in real time the optical data streams of light traps 1002 and 1004 interacting with microparticles 3000 in operating focal region 200. The movable array of light traps 1002 and 1004 is formed using a single lens transfer optic L1. Although only one beamlet 32 is shown for clarity, it should be understood that optical element 12 creates multiple such beamlets.
To create an array of optical traps, the laser beam 10 passes through the diffractive optical element 12 and emits a beamlet 32 emanating from region A on the front surface 13 of the encoded diffractive optical element 12 and subsequently reaching region C. Generate. Region C is a central region on the surface of beam splitter 51 in front of objective lens 18. Beam splitter 51 comprises a static or movable dichroic mirror, a static or movable optical bandgap mirror, a static or movable omni-directional mirror, or other similar device. The beam splitter shown in FIG. 2 is movable and therefore performs two functions: a movable mirror and a beam splitter. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the beam splitter 51 is fixed.

  Beam splitter 51 selectively reflects the wavelengths of light used to form the optical trap and transmits other wavelengths to form two streams of beamlets. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first stream of beamlets travels from region C through region B of aperture 16 behind objective lens 18, thereby removing all beamlets from the rear aperture. The optical traps 1002 and 1004 are effectively overlapped at the portions. The second stream of beamlets is reflected toward the monitor by beam splitter 51 and used to provide an optical data stream in real time with the aid of an imaging illumination source (not shown). The second stream of beamlets passes through device 8 and is viewed 64a by human monitor 65. The monitor 65 may be an interface with a computer 66, which causes the computer to change system parameters to change the position of one or all of the beamlets 32.

  Alternatively, the spectrum 64b of the optical data stream can be obtained and analyzed, and / or the optical data stream can be converted to a video signal and monitored by the video monitor 64c. In some embodiments, the optical data stream is passed through a spectrometer and the location of the convergence of at least one beamlet changes the location of the corresponding optical trap in response to spectral analysis or video monitoring. Can be changed.

  Spectroscopy 64b of a sample of biological material is realized with inelastic spectroscopy or imaging proof suitable for backscattering of polarized light. The former is useful for examining the chemical structure, and the latter is suitable for measuring the size of the nucleus. Computer 66 analyzes the data to identify suspicious cancerous, precancerous, and / or non-cancerous cells and separates and enriches samples of the selected cell type on an optical array. One of skill in the art will recognize that the procedures used to enrich cells based on parameters specific to cancerous cells may be from the scope of the invention to identify and / or enrich other types of cells based on other parameters. It will be appreciated that changes can be made without departing from the invention. Wavelengths of laser beam 10 used to construct optical traps useful for manipulating biological materials include infrared, near-infrared, and visible wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 1060 nm.

  In still other embodiments, the optical data stream is recorded, analyzed, and / or via diffractive optical element 13 at one or all positions of beamlets 32, the position of a single transfer lens L1, and / or A computer 66 adapted to accurately adjust the position of the movable beam splitter 51 may receive the optical data stream. Alternatively, the optical data stream may be processed by a photodetector for monitoring intensity or any suitable device that converts the optical data stream into a digital data stream adapted for use by computer 66.

  Real-time optical data streams provide more useful information if noise is controlled. As shown in FIG. 2, a filter element 53, such as a polarizing element or a bandpass element, is used to reduce the amount of reflected, scattered, or undiffracted laser light 10 traveling along the axis of the optical data stream. Put it on the street. This filter element 53 filters out one or more preselected wavelengths, and in some embodiments, all but a certain preselected wavelength of the optical data stream.

  Other methods of limiting noise in the optical data stream are to shutter the optical data stream or to pulse the optical data stream. FIG. 3 shows a system of controllable shutters 62 and 63. One advantage of the shutter is that it eliminates substantially all of the noise or interference from the optical data stream. The shutter 62 selectively blocks or does not block free passage of the optical data stream from the system by coordinating the opening operation with the turning on and off of the laser beam 10. The optical data stream is blocked when no laser beam is being generated, and the optical data stream is not blocked when a focused light beam is being generated. When the laser beam 10 is obstructing the shutter (this causes the beamlet 32 and the resulting optical trap 1002 to switch "on" and "off"), the microparticles (not shown) in the optical trap To maintain control, the pulse rate of the shutter is adjusted depending on the nature of the particles being manipulated. However, a pulse rate that is too slow will allow the particles being captured to drift. For situations where it is desirable for the particles to drift, the pulse rate may be adjusted to cause the particles to drift.

  Alternatively, shutter 62 prevents a laser beam (not shown) or beamlet from freely passing through the objective lens. By coordinating the opening and closing of the shutter 63 with the "on" and "off" monitoring of the optical data stream, noise is reduced. In some instances, it may be desirable to use dual shutters. One advantage of using dual shutters is that both the laser beam 10 and the monitoring equipment can be kept "on" at all times. In such a configuration, only the activities of shutters 62 and 63 need to cooperate. Computer 66 may be used to selectively control shutters 62 and 63.

  FIG. 4 uses a traditional telescopic transfer lens system 42 located in the system after a single transfer lens L1 combined with a movable mirror 41 and a beam splitter 51 to provide an optical data stream. Provide an embodiment that may be useful in such cases as would benefit equipment availability, physical space limitations, or other performance parameters.

  Apparatus 8 is useful as part of a system for manipulating a plurality of microparticles. In addition to this device, the system also includes a light source (not shown) for generating a focused light beam, a focused light beam 10, and a plurality of microparticles 3000 operated by light traps 1002 and 1004. Contains.

  According to the invention, multiple light traps are created. In some embodiments, the light trap creates the gradient required to manipulate the biological material.

  All matters contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings, specification, and claims are exemplary, as modifications may be made to the device without departing from the scope of the invention herein. Should be understood, but not in a limiting sense.

1A shows a system for manipulating an array of microparticles, FIG. 1B shows a first alternative system for manipulating an array of microparticles, and FIG. 1C shows a system for manipulating an array of microparticles having reflective diffractive optics. FIG. 1D illustrates a second alternative system for operating a microparticle array having a movable mirror, and FIG. 1E illustrates a third alternative system for operating an array of microparticles having a movable mirror. 4 shows a fourth alternative system. FIG. 2 shows a fifth alternative system for manipulating arrays of microparticles, adapted for noise-free viewing in real time. FIG. 3 shows a sixth alternative system for manipulating arrays of microparticles, adapted for noise-free viewing in real time. FIG. 4 shows a seventh alternative system for manipulating arrays of microparticles, adapted for real-time observation.

Claims (55)

A method of forming a plurality of movable light traps, comprising:
Generates a focused energy beam,
Directing the focused energy beam to a phase patterning optic having an encoded virtual lens to form a plurality of beamlets;
Converging the beamlets with the phase patterning optics,
Passing the beamlets through a single transfer lens and overlapping the beamlets at the opening behind the focus lens;
A method comprising converging the beamlets emanating from the focus lens to form a plurality of optical traps. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beamlets originate from the phase patterning optic, each beamlet having a phase profile modified by the virtual lens of the phase patterning optic . The method of the previous SL by changing the convergence of at least one beamlet originating from the phase patterning optical element A method according further comprises claims 1 to change the arrangement of the at least one optical trap 2 either.   4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises forming two or more different types of optical traps selected from optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, and optical cage. Method.   The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises varying the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets with the phase patterning optical element.   6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising steering the beamlets emitted from the phase patterning optical element as a group by a movable mirror before overlapping the beamlets at the opening behind the focus lens. The described method.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the focused energy beam is electromagnetic wave energy.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the focused energy beam is a focused light beam. An apparatus for generating at least two optical traps, comprising:
Phase patterning optics for receiving the focused light beam and diffracting it into at least two beamlets each having a phase profile;
A virtual lens encoded within the phase patterning optic, converging each beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optic at a location between the phase patterning optic and a single transfer lens;
A single transfer lens that guides the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics and overlaps the beamlets at an opening behind a focus lens;
The focus lens that forms the optical trap by converging each beamlet emitted from the transfer lens,
Apparatus comprising a single transfer lens between the phase patterning optics and the focus lens, wherein the beamlets overlap at an opening behind the focus lens.   The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the single transfer lens is movable.   Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the phase patterning optic has a static surface. The static surface The apparatus of claim 11 can be repositioned to different portions of the middle of the static surface receiving the light beam.   Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the static surface comprises two or more discontinuous, heterogeneous regions.   Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the static surface is changing substantially continuously.   The phase patterning optical element is formed of at least one of a group consisting of a grating, a diffraction grating, a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a hologram, a stencil, a light shaping holographic filter, a multicolor hologram, a lens, a mirror, a prism, a wave plate, and a hologram. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 14, which is selected. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 10 , wherein the phase patterning optic is dynamic. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein selectively changing the encoded virtual lens changes the number of beamlets emanating therefrom. 18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein selectively changing the encoded virtual lens changes a convergence position of at least one of the beamlets emanating therefrom.   19. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein selectively changing the phase patterning optic changes the phase profile of at least one of the beamlets emanating therefrom. A system for generating a plurality of optical traps for manipulating microparticles,
A plurality of microparticles,
A light source for producing a focused light beam;
A focused light beam,
Phase patterning optics for receiving the focused light beam and diffracting it into at least two beamlets each having a phase profile;
A computer for selectively changing the phase patterning optical element,
A virtual lens encoded within the phase patterning optic, converging each beamlet emanating from the phase patterning optic at a location between the phase patterning optic and a single transfer lens;
A single transfer lens disposed between the phase patterning optics and a focus lens through which each beamlet passes, such that each beamlet overlaps at an opening behind the focus lens. One transfer lens,
A focus lens for converging each beamlet emanating from the transfer lens so as to form at least two light traps, each capable of manipulating one of a plurality of microparticles. .   The phase patterning optical element includes a computer-generated variable diffraction pattern, a variable phase shift material, a variable liquid crystal phase shift array, a micromirror array, a piston mode micromirror array, a spatial light modulator, an electro-optic deflector, an acousto-optic modulator. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system is selected from at least one of the group consisting of a vessel, a deformable mirror, and a reflective MEMS array.   22. The system according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising a computer for selectively changing the phase patterning optics.   23. The system according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein at least some of the plurality of microparticles are biological materials.   23. Any of claims 20 to 22 further comprising a movable mirror for steering the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group before overlapping the beamlets at an opening behind the focus lens. The system described in Crab.   25. The system according to any of claims 20 to 24, further comprising a telescope lens system downstream from the single lens and before the focus lens.   The method includes superimposing the beamlets on a surface of a beam splitter to produce two streams of beamlets, the beam splitter reflecting a first stream of beamlets to an opening behind a focus lens, 9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising reflecting the second stream of to form an optical data stream.   27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises converting the optical data stream to a video signal.   27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises obtaining and analyzing a spectrum of the optical data stream.   29. The method of claim 26 or 28, wherein the method further comprises receiving the optical data stream at a computer.   29. The method according to claim 26 or claim 28, wherein the method further comprises changing an arrangement of at least one optical trap according to an analyzed spectrum of the optical data stream.   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the method further comprises changing an arrangement of at least one optical trap in response to the video signal.   The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises removing all but a preselected wavelength of light from the optical data stream.   27. The method of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises removing one or more preselected light wavelengths from the optical data stream.   The method includes the step of blocking the optical data stream such that the optical data stream is blocked when the focused light beam is not being generated and the optical data stream is not blocked when the focused light beam is being generated. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising selectively generating an illuminated light beam and selectively blocking or not blocking the optical data stream.   The method comprises:
  Selectively blocking or not blocking the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics from passing through the beam splitter;
  27. The method of claim 26, further comprising selectively monitoring the optical data stream when blocking the beamlets.   The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a telescope lens system disposed between the movable mirror and the focus lens.   Receiving the beamlets emanating from the single transfer lens to create two streams of beamlets and reflecting a first stream of beamlets to an aperture behind a focus lens, and a second stream of beamlets; A beam splitter that reflects to form an optical data stream;
  Said focus lens for converging each beamlet emitted from said beam splitter to form at least two optical traps;
Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 19, further comprising:   The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the light trap moves in response to movement of the single transfer lens.   The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a monitor for monitoring the optical data stream.   Apparatus according to claim 37 or 39, wherein the optical data stream is converted to a digital data stream.   41. The apparatus according to claim 37, 39 or 40, further comprising a spectrometer for producing a spectrum of the optical data stream.   The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a computer that receives the digital data stream by converting the optical data stream to a digital data stream.   38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a computer that receives and processes the optical data stream into a digital data stream and changes the location of at least one of the optical traps based on information in the optical data stream.   25. The computer of claim 24, further comprising a computer for causing a movable mirror to steer the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group before superimposing the beamlets at the opening behind the focus lens. The described system.   A computer that receives and processes the optical data stream into a digital data stream and changes at least one arrangement of the optical traps based on information in the optical data stream;
  A computer for causing a movable mirror to steer the beamlets emanating from the phase patterning optics as a group before superimposing the beamlets at the opening behind the focus lens;
Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 19, further comprising:   38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a polarizing filter or a bandpass filter disposed in a path of the optical data stream.   6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a shutter that selectively blocks the optical data stream when the focused light beam is on and does not block the optical data stream when the focused light beam is off. An apparatus according to claim 37.   The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a shutter that selectively blocks the collected light beam when the optical data stream is being monitored.   20. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 19, wherein the light source producing the focused light beam is a laser, and the focused light beam is a laser beam.   26. The system according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the light source that produces the focused light beam is a laser, and the focused light beam is a laser beam.   A first shutter for selectively blocking the laser beam when the optical data stream is being monitored;
  A second shutter that selectively blocks the optical data stream when the laser beam is on and does not block the optical data stream when the laser beam is off.
38. The device of claim 37, further comprising:   The source of the single beam of focused energy is a solid state laser, a diode pumped laser, a gas laser, a dye laser, an alexandrite laser, a free electron laser, a VCSEL laser, a diode laser, a Ti-sapphire laser, a doped YAG laser, 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a YLF laser, a diode pumped YAG laser, a flashlamp pumped YAG laser, a light emitting diode and a light emitting diode with an integrated collimating element.   The source of the single beam of focused energy is a solid state laser, a diode pumped laser, a gas laser, a dye laser, an alexandrite laser, a free electron laser, a VCSEL laser, a diode laser, a Ti-sapphire laser, a doped YAG laser, 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the system is selected from the group consisting of a YLF laser, a diode pumped YAG laser, a flashlamp pumped YAG laser, a light emitting diode and a light emitting diode with an integrated collimating element.   The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each optical trap is selected from the group consisting of an optical tweezer, an optical vortex, an optical bottle, an optical rotator, and an optical cage.   21. The system of claim 20, wherein each optical trap is selected from the group consisting of optical tweezers, optical vortex, optical bottle, optical rotator, and optical cage.