Open AccessHigh throughput trapping and arrangement of biological cells using self-assembled optical tweezer
Author(s) -
Zongbao Li,
Jian Yang,
Shaojing Liu,
Xiaofang Jiang,
Haiyan Wang,
Xiaowen Hu,
Sheng Xue,
Sailing He,
Xiaobo Xing
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.034665
Subject(s) - optical tweezers , thermophoresis , optical force , microfluidics , materials science , optical fiber , optical power , optoelectronics , microfiber , optofluidics , nanotechnology , optics , trap (plumbing) , trapping , fabrication , nanophotonics , laser , physics , nanoparticle , nanofluid , ecology , meteorology , composite material , biology , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Lately, a fiber-based optical tweezer that traps and arranges the micro/nano-particles is crucial in practical applications, because such a device can trap the biological samples and drive them to the designated position in a microfluidic system or vessel without harming them. Here, we report a new type of fiber optical tweezer, which can trap and arrange erythrocytes. It is prepared by coating graphene on the cross section of a microfiber. Our results demonstrate that thermal-gradient-induced natural convection flow and thermophoresis can trap the erythrocytes under low incident power, and the optical scattering force can arrange them precisely under higher incident power. The proposed optical tweezer has high flexibility, easy fabrication, and high integration with lab-on-a-chip, and shows considerable potential for application in various fields, such as biophysics, biochemistry, and life sciences.