Light-field based 3D optical tweezers

Abstract

Optical tweezers are designed to trap nano- and micro-scale particles. Once trapped, it is possible to move the particles but this requires complex mechanical adjustments to the optical system. In this paper, an easier way to trap and move multiple particles simultaneously is proposed, that uses a digital mirror-array and freeform micro-lens-array to generate several steerable optical traps inside a light-field.