Multiple Spot Optical Tweezer System

The E3400 is an attachment for high quality microscopes for users wishing to undertake multiple beam particle trapping and manipulation experiments. It is suitable for working with micron sized particles and can be used for cell manipulation using either the computer controlled beam steering optics or the microscope XY sample stage.

The system comprises an optical module containing the laser, beam steering optics and the microscope interface and the control module with the drive electronics, computer and unique control software.

The optical module attaches to the microscope either through an additional module such as an epi-fluorescence attachment or a camera port. A range of interfaces is available depending on the make and model of microscope.

Beam control is provided by high speed acousto-optic beam deflectors. The unique design of the software and control electronics allow for the creation and independent manipulation of multiple optical traps anywhere within the field of view.

The high speed GigE interface camera allows visualization of the trapped particles through the computer interface. The trap positions are overlayed on the video image to allow easy trapping of particles.

The 1070nm fibre laser gives a stable high quality TEM00 beam with an M2 of 1.05. This high beam quality when used with high NA microscope objectives gives the tightly focused Gaussian spot required for efficient optical traps it both XY an Z directions. Variable power is available for changing the strength of the optical trap.

Software Control

Optical traps are created and positioned by mouse control in the easy to use software. These traps can be single spots, line arrays or circular arrays. The spacing, orientation and number of traps can be easily adjusted from the control panel in the software. Additional traps can be added or removed at any time without affecting existing traps. Multiple arrays and spots can be manipulated totally independently of each other.