Christoph Faigle, Franziska Lautenschläger, Graeme Whyte, Philip Homewood, Estela Martín-Badosa and Jochen Guck
The mechanical properties of biological cells have long been considered as inherent markers of biological function and disease. However, the screening and active sorting of heterogeneous populations based on serial single-cell mechanical measurements has not been demonstrated. Here we present a novel monolithic glass chip for combined fluorescence detection and mechanical phenotyping using an optical stretcher. A new design and manufacturing process, involving the bonding of two asymmetrically etched glass plates, combines exact optical fiber alignment, low laser damage threshold and high imaging quality with the possibility of several microfluidic inlet and outlet channels. We show the utility of such a custom-built optical stretcher glass chip by measuring and sorting single cells in a heterogeneous population based on their different mechanical properties and verify sorting accuracy by simultaneous fluorescence detection. This offers new possibilities of exact characterization and sorting of small populations based on rheological properties for biological and biomedical applications.
DOI
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Inherent Force-Dependent Properties of β-Cardiac Myosin Contribute to the Force-Velocity Relationship of Cardiac Muscle
Michael J. Greenberg, Henry Shuman, E. Michael Ostap
The heart adjusts its power output to meet specific physiological needs through the coordination of several mechanisms, including force-induced changes in contractility of the molecular motor, the β-cardiac myosin (βCM). Despite its importance in driving and regulating cardiac power output, the effect of force on the contractility of a single βCM has not been measured. Using single molecule optical-trapping techniques, we found that βCM has a two-step working stroke. Forces that resist the power stroke slow the myosin-driven contraction by slowing the rate of ADP release, which is the kinetic step that limits fiber shortening. The kinetic properties of βCM are affected by load, suggesting that the properties of myosin contribute to the force-velocity relationship in intact muscle and play an important role in the regulation of cardiac power output.
DOI
The heart adjusts its power output to meet specific physiological needs through the coordination of several mechanisms, including force-induced changes in contractility of the molecular motor, the β-cardiac myosin (βCM). Despite its importance in driving and regulating cardiac power output, the effect of force on the contractility of a single βCM has not been measured. Using single molecule optical-trapping techniques, we found that βCM has a two-step working stroke. Forces that resist the power stroke slow the myosin-driven contraction by slowing the rate of ADP release, which is the kinetic step that limits fiber shortening. The kinetic properties of βCM are affected by load, suggesting that the properties of myosin contribute to the force-velocity relationship in intact muscle and play an important role in the regulation of cardiac power output.
DOI
A micro-particle launching apparatus based on mode-division-multiplexing technology
Zhihai Liu, Peibo Liang, Yu Zhang, Jiaojie Lei, Yaxun Zhang, Jun Yang, Libo Yuan
We propose and demonstrate a trapped yeast cell being launched away from the fiber tip with a certain speed to a certain position without moving the optical fiber in a single fiber optical trapping apparatus. We excite both LP01 and LP11 mode beams in a same normal communication fiber core to generate the optical launching force and trapping force by molding the fiber tip into a special tapered-tip shape. A yeast cell of 6 μm diameter is trapped and then being launched away. We construct the optical trapping and launching potential wells by controlling the power of two mode beams. Besides that, we also build a physical model to analyze the micro-particle dynamic behavior characteristics during the launching process. This micro-particle directional launching function expands new features of fiber optical tweezers based on the normal communication fiber, providing for the possibility of more practical applications in the biomedical research fields.
DOI
We propose and demonstrate a trapped yeast cell being launched away from the fiber tip with a certain speed to a certain position without moving the optical fiber in a single fiber optical trapping apparatus. We excite both LP01 and LP11 mode beams in a same normal communication fiber core to generate the optical launching force and trapping force by molding the fiber tip into a special tapered-tip shape. A yeast cell of 6 μm diameter is trapped and then being launched away. We construct the optical trapping and launching potential wells by controlling the power of two mode beams. Besides that, we also build a physical model to analyze the micro-particle dynamic behavior characteristics during the launching process. This micro-particle directional launching function expands new features of fiber optical tweezers based on the normal communication fiber, providing for the possibility of more practical applications in the biomedical research fields.
DOI
Diffusion coefficients and particle transport in synthetic membrane channels
S. Pagliara, S. L. Dettmer, K. Misiunas, L. Lea, Y. Tan, U. F. Keyser
Diffusion in constrained geometries is paramount to transport across biological membranes and in mesoporous materials. Although the transported species vary from system to system, the underlying physical mechanisms are universal. However, there is an imbalance between theory and quantitative experimental model systems. We have recently introduced a new synthetic approach to mimic molecular diffusion based on colloidal particles, digital video microscopy, particle tracking, microfluidics and holographic optical tweezers. In this paper we report useful guidelines for the fabrication, handling and characterisation of the microfluidic chips and a study of diffusion coefficients, particle attempt and translocation rates through microfluidic channels with cross sections of different dimensions.
DOI
Diffusion in constrained geometries is paramount to transport across biological membranes and in mesoporous materials. Although the transported species vary from system to system, the underlying physical mechanisms are universal. However, there is an imbalance between theory and quantitative experimental model systems. We have recently introduced a new synthetic approach to mimic molecular diffusion based on colloidal particles, digital video microscopy, particle tracking, microfluidics and holographic optical tweezers. In this paper we report useful guidelines for the fabrication, handling and characterisation of the microfluidic chips and a study of diffusion coefficients, particle attempt and translocation rates through microfluidic channels with cross sections of different dimensions.
DOI
Friday, December 19, 2014
Trapping of nanoparticles in a liquid by laser-induced microbubbles
V I Yusupov, S I Tsypina and V N Bagratashvili
Nanoparticles a few nanometers in diameter contained in a colloidal solution can be captured by the surface of a microbubble produced by a well-focused beam of a continuous wave visible laser. The concentration of the nanoparticles on the surface of the microbubble is found to gradually increase during the course of irradiation. The mechanism of such a trapping is associated with the laser-induced Marangoni convection developing in the vicinity of the microbubble as a result of the temperature gradient obtained at its surface.
DOI
Nanoparticles a few nanometers in diameter contained in a colloidal solution can be captured by the surface of a microbubble produced by a well-focused beam of a continuous wave visible laser. The concentration of the nanoparticles on the surface of the microbubble is found to gradually increase during the course of irradiation. The mechanism of such a trapping is associated with the laser-induced Marangoni convection developing in the vicinity of the microbubble as a result of the temperature gradient obtained at its surface.
DOI
Organic Component Vapour Pressures and Hygroscopicities of Aqueous Aerosol Measured by Optical Tweezers
Chen Cai, David Stewart, Jonathan Philip Reid, Yun-Hong Zhang, Peter Ohm, Cari S. Dutcher, and Simon Leslie Clegg
Measurements of the hygroscopic response of aerosol and the particle-to-gas partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds are crucial for providing more accurate descriptions of the compositional and size distributions of atmospheric aerosol. Concurrent measurements of particle size and composition (inferred from refractive index) are reported here using optical tweezers to isolate and probe individual aerosol droplets over extended timeframes. The measurements are shown to allow accurate retrievals of component vapour pressures and hygroscopic response through examining correlated variations in size and composition for binary droplets containing water and a single organic component. Measurements are reported for an homologous series of dicarboxylic acids, maleic acid, citric acid, glycerol or 1,2,6-hexanetriol. An assessment of the inherent uncertainties in such measurements when measuring only particle size is provided to confirm the value of such a correlational approach. We also show that the method of molar refraction provides an accurate characterisation of the compositional dependence of the refractive index of the solutions. In this method, the density of the pure liquid solute is the largest uncertainty and must be either known or inferred from subsaturated measurements with an error of <± 2.5 % to discriminate between different thermodynamic treatments.
DOI
Measurements of the hygroscopic response of aerosol and the particle-to-gas partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds are crucial for providing more accurate descriptions of the compositional and size distributions of atmospheric aerosol. Concurrent measurements of particle size and composition (inferred from refractive index) are reported here using optical tweezers to isolate and probe individual aerosol droplets over extended timeframes. The measurements are shown to allow accurate retrievals of component vapour pressures and hygroscopic response through examining correlated variations in size and composition for binary droplets containing water and a single organic component. Measurements are reported for an homologous series of dicarboxylic acids, maleic acid, citric acid, glycerol or 1,2,6-hexanetriol. An assessment of the inherent uncertainties in such measurements when measuring only particle size is provided to confirm the value of such a correlational approach. We also show that the method of molar refraction provides an accurate characterisation of the compositional dependence of the refractive index of the solutions. In this method, the density of the pure liquid solute is the largest uncertainty and must be either known or inferred from subsaturated measurements with an error of <± 2.5 % to discriminate between different thermodynamic treatments.
DOI
The electromagnetic force in the terahertz band generated by a cross-shaped absorber
Jiahui Fu, Wan Chen, Bo Lv, Lei Zhu, Qun Wu
A 2D periodic force generator in terahertz band is presented. A multi-layered structure is designed, which consists of two adjacent dielectric layers and a cross-shaped metal patch. Once the structure is resonant, strong coupling effect takes place between the two dielectric layers. Due to the coupling effect, the electromagnetic field is enhanced, which leads to a large electromagnetic force. The force is calculated by the Maxwell Stress Tensor. The magnitude of the force is three orders higher than the force generated in the optical band presented in other papers. The power density of the incident light is studied for the demonstration of the usefulness of the force in terahertz band generated by the structure. Dielectric loss is also taken into consideration. The result shows that the magnitude of the force is still enough to offset the gravity of the unit cell even with a high dielectric loss.
DOI
A 2D periodic force generator in terahertz band is presented. A multi-layered structure is designed, which consists of two adjacent dielectric layers and a cross-shaped metal patch. Once the structure is resonant, strong coupling effect takes place between the two dielectric layers. Due to the coupling effect, the electromagnetic field is enhanced, which leads to a large electromagnetic force. The force is calculated by the Maxwell Stress Tensor. The magnitude of the force is three orders higher than the force generated in the optical band presented in other papers. The power density of the incident light is studied for the demonstration of the usefulness of the force in terahertz band generated by the structure. Dielectric loss is also taken into consideration. The result shows that the magnitude of the force is still enough to offset the gravity of the unit cell even with a high dielectric loss.
DOI
Heterogeneous oxidation of nitrite anion by gas-phase ozone in an aqueous droplet levitated by laser tweezers (optical trap): is there any evidence for enhanced surface reaction?
Oliver R. Hunt, Andrew D. Ward and Martin D. King
The oxidation of nitrite anion within an aqueous atmospheric droplet may be a sink for HONO in the lower atmosphere. An optical trap with Raman spectroscopy is used to demonstrate that the oxidation of aqueous nitrite anion in levitated, micron sized, aqueous droplets by gas-phase ozone is consistent with bulk aqueous-phase kinetics and diffusion. There is no evidence of an enhanced or retarded reaction at the droplet surface at the concentrations used in the experiment or likely to be found in the atmosphere. The oxidation of nitrite in an aqueous droplet by gas-phase ozone does not cause the droplet to hydrodynamically change in size and demonstrates use of an optical trap as a wall-less reactor to measuring aqueous-phase rate coefficients.
DOI
The oxidation of nitrite anion within an aqueous atmospheric droplet may be a sink for HONO in the lower atmosphere. An optical trap with Raman spectroscopy is used to demonstrate that the oxidation of aqueous nitrite anion in levitated, micron sized, aqueous droplets by gas-phase ozone is consistent with bulk aqueous-phase kinetics and diffusion. There is no evidence of an enhanced or retarded reaction at the droplet surface at the concentrations used in the experiment or likely to be found in the atmosphere. The oxidation of nitrite in an aqueous droplet by gas-phase ozone does not cause the droplet to hydrodynamically change in size and demonstrates use of an optical trap as a wall-less reactor to measuring aqueous-phase rate coefficients.
DOI
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Toward optical-tweezers-based force microscopy for airborne microparticles
Rory M. Power, Daniel R. Burnham, and Jonathan P. Reid
Optical tweezers have found widespread application in biological and colloidal physics for the measurement of pN forces over nanometer to micrometer length scales. Similar aerosol-phase measurements of interparticle force have not been reported in spite of the potential to better resolve particle coagulation kinetics. Various refractive index mismatches in the beam path as well as the need to explicitly account for gravity and inertial particle motion provide a number of challenges that must be overcome to make such measurements tractable. In this regard, we demonstrate schemes by which the particle position and trap stiffness may be unambiguously measured using bright-field microscopy with resolution comparable with analogous condensed-phase measurements. Moreover, some of the challenges of working with highly dynamic aqueous particles are introduced and exploited to observe size-dependent phenomena in aerosol optical tweezers. Notably, when combined with cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, this provides a unique opportunity to explore trapping forces over a continuum of particle size and refractive index. It is expected that the methods developed will provide a basis for the measurement of pairwise interaction forces in aerosol optical tweezers while providing a probe of fundamental airborne particle trapping dynamics.
DOI
Optical tweezers have found widespread application in biological and colloidal physics for the measurement of pN forces over nanometer to micrometer length scales. Similar aerosol-phase measurements of interparticle force have not been reported in spite of the potential to better resolve particle coagulation kinetics. Various refractive index mismatches in the beam path as well as the need to explicitly account for gravity and inertial particle motion provide a number of challenges that must be overcome to make such measurements tractable. In this regard, we demonstrate schemes by which the particle position and trap stiffness may be unambiguously measured using bright-field microscopy with resolution comparable with analogous condensed-phase measurements. Moreover, some of the challenges of working with highly dynamic aqueous particles are introduced and exploited to observe size-dependent phenomena in aerosol optical tweezers. Notably, when combined with cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, this provides a unique opportunity to explore trapping forces over a continuum of particle size and refractive index. It is expected that the methods developed will provide a basis for the measurement of pairwise interaction forces in aerosol optical tweezers while providing a probe of fundamental airborne particle trapping dynamics.
DOI
Stretching of red blood cells using an electro-optics trap
Md. Mozzammel Haque, Mihaela G. Moisescu, Sándor Valkai, András Dér, and Tudor Savopol
The stretching stiffness of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) was investigated using a combination of an AC dielectrophoretic apparatus and a single-beam optical tweezer. The experiments were performed at 10 MHz, a frequency high enough to avoid conductivity losses, but below the second turnover point between positive and negative dielectrophoresis. By measuring the geometrical parameters of single healthy human RBCs as a function of the applied voltage, the elastic modulus of RBCs was determined (µ = 1.80 ± 0.5 µN/m) and compared with similar values of the literature got by other techniques. The method is expected to be an easy-to-use, alternative tool to determine the mechano-elastic properties of living cells, and, on this basis, to distinguish healthy and diseased cells.
DOI
The stretching stiffness of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) was investigated using a combination of an AC dielectrophoretic apparatus and a single-beam optical tweezer. The experiments were performed at 10 MHz, a frequency high enough to avoid conductivity losses, but below the second turnover point between positive and negative dielectrophoresis. By measuring the geometrical parameters of single healthy human RBCs as a function of the applied voltage, the elastic modulus of RBCs was determined (µ = 1.80 ± 0.5 µN/m) and compared with similar values of the literature got by other techniques. The method is expected to be an easy-to-use, alternative tool to determine the mechano-elastic properties of living cells, and, on this basis, to distinguish healthy and diseased cells.
DOI
Evaluating the toxic effect of an antimicrobial agent on single bacterial cells with optical tweezers
Akbar Samadi, Chensong Zhang, Joseph Chen, S. N. S. Reihani, and Zhigang Chen
We implement an optical tweezers technique to assess the effects of chemical agents on single bacterial cells. As a proof of principle, the viability of a trapped Escherichia coli bacterium is determined by monitoring its flagellar motility in the presence of varying concentrations of ethyl alcohol. We show that the “killing time” of the bacterium can be effectively identified from the correlation statistics of the positional time series recorded from the trap, while direct quantification from the time series or associated power spectra is intractable. Our results, which minimize the lethal effects of bacterial photodamage, are consistent with previous reports of ethanol toxicity that used conventional culture-based methods. This approach can be adapted to study other pairwise combinations of drugs and motile bacteria, especially to measure the response times of single cells with better precision.
DOI
We implement an optical tweezers technique to assess the effects of chemical agents on single bacterial cells. As a proof of principle, the viability of a trapped Escherichia coli bacterium is determined by monitoring its flagellar motility in the presence of varying concentrations of ethyl alcohol. We show that the “killing time” of the bacterium can be effectively identified from the correlation statistics of the positional time series recorded from the trap, while direct quantification from the time series or associated power spectra is intractable. Our results, which minimize the lethal effects of bacterial photodamage, are consistent with previous reports of ethanol toxicity that used conventional culture-based methods. This approach can be adapted to study other pairwise combinations of drugs and motile bacteria, especially to measure the response times of single cells with better precision.
DOI
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Measurements of liposome biomechanical properties by combining line optical tweezers and dielectrophoresis
Ellas Spyratou, Efrosini Cunaj, George Tsigaridas, Elena A. Mourelatou, Costas Demetzos, Alexander A. Serafetinides, and Mersini Makropoulou
Liposomes are well-known cell simulators and are currently studied as drug delivery systems, for a targeted delivery of higher drug concentrations, in specific cells. Novel biophotonic techniques for manipulation and characterization of liposomes have been developed; among which are optical tweezers. In our work, we demonstrate a novel use of line optical tweezers to manipulate and cause liposome deformations. Optical forces induce tension on liposomes, which are stretched along the line optical trap. The method of dielectrophoresis, combined with optical tweezers, was used to measure the exerted optical forces. As a consequence, in the case of reversible liposome deformations, the value of the shear and bending moduli of liposomes was calculated. We anticipate that the selective manipulation of liposomes will help us toward a better understanding of the cellular–liposome interactions. Studying the biomechanical properties of liposomes will provide an insight into the mechanical behavior of individual living cells, which have recently been implicated in many aspects of human physiology and patho-physiology. The biomechanical properties of cells (i.e. deformability, stiffness and elasticity) can be useful biomarkers for various disease processes and changes of the cell state.
DOI
Liposomes are well-known cell simulators and are currently studied as drug delivery systems, for a targeted delivery of higher drug concentrations, in specific cells. Novel biophotonic techniques for manipulation and characterization of liposomes have been developed; among which are optical tweezers. In our work, we demonstrate a novel use of line optical tweezers to manipulate and cause liposome deformations. Optical forces induce tension on liposomes, which are stretched along the line optical trap. The method of dielectrophoresis, combined with optical tweezers, was used to measure the exerted optical forces. As a consequence, in the case of reversible liposome deformations, the value of the shear and bending moduli of liposomes was calculated. We anticipate that the selective manipulation of liposomes will help us toward a better understanding of the cellular–liposome interactions. Studying the biomechanical properties of liposomes will provide an insight into the mechanical behavior of individual living cells, which have recently been implicated in many aspects of human physiology and patho-physiology. The biomechanical properties of cells (i.e. deformability, stiffness and elasticity) can be useful biomarkers for various disease processes and changes of the cell state.
DOI
In situ seriate droplet coalescence under an optical force
Jin Ho Jung, Kyung Heon Lee, Ghulam Destgeer, Kang Soo Lee, Hyunjun Cho, Byung Hang Ha, Hyung Jin Sung
We demonstrated the induced coalescence of droplets under a highly accurate optical force control. Optical scattering and gradient forces were used to push and trap the droplets prior to coalescence within a microfluidic channel. The behavior of the droplets under the influence of an optical force was predicted using an analytical model that agreed well with the experimental data. The optical gradient force accelerated and decelerated the droplet within the laser beam region, and the drag force acting on the droplet was thoroughly characterized. A description of the optical trap was presented in terms of the momentum transfer from the photons to the droplet, effectively restricting droplet motion inside the microfluidic channel prior to coalescence. A phase diagram was plotted to distinguish between the three regimes of droplet coalescence, including the absence of coalescence, coalescence, and multiple coalescence events. The phase diagram permitted the laser power input and the net flow rate in the microfluidic channel to be estimated. This technique was applied to the synthesis of biodegradable gel microparticles.
DOI
We demonstrated the induced coalescence of droplets under a highly accurate optical force control. Optical scattering and gradient forces were used to push and trap the droplets prior to coalescence within a microfluidic channel. The behavior of the droplets under the influence of an optical force was predicted using an analytical model that agreed well with the experimental data. The optical gradient force accelerated and decelerated the droplet within the laser beam region, and the drag force acting on the droplet was thoroughly characterized. A description of the optical trap was presented in terms of the momentum transfer from the photons to the droplet, effectively restricting droplet motion inside the microfluidic channel prior to coalescence. A phase diagram was plotted to distinguish between the three regimes of droplet coalescence, including the absence of coalescence, coalescence, and multiple coalescence events. The phase diagram permitted the laser power input and the net flow rate in the microfluidic channel to be estimated. This technique was applied to the synthesis of biodegradable gel microparticles.
DOI
Dynamic orientation of azopyridine units within the shell of vesicles PNIPAM-b-PAzPyn copolymers
Yingjue Wang, Guangyong Shen, Jiangang Gao, Gang Zou andQijin Zhang
Vesicles with hydrophobic shells have been self-assembled through three kinds of amphiphilic block copolymers containing pendent azopyridine groups with different spacers, namely PNIPAM-b-PAzPyn (n = 0, 2, 6), respectively. By polarization laser-trapping Raman spectroscopy, the photoinduced orientation behaviors of azopyridine groups within the vesicle shells have been investigated and it is found that spacer lengths affect the orientation of the azopyridine groups and the morphologic structure of the vesicle shells. The exact experimental results show that the orientation is dynamic for the pendent azopyridine groups with connecting spacers of 2 or 6 methylene units rather than those without spacers, so the vesicles of PNIPAM-b-PAzPy6 can be changed to show a typical “soft” character compared with its solid films when irradiated with a relatively weak polarized UV light of 190 µW/cm2. However, the vesicles of PNIPAM-b-PAzPy0 without spacers do not change even though the azopyridine units can be oriented. By quantitative Raman spectral analysis, it is found that the isomerization degree of azopyridine units is 70% for PNIPAM-b-PAzPy6 yet it is 10% for PNIPAM-b-PAzPy0, which shows a close relationship between aggregation and isomerization of azopyridine units under a weak UV light.
DOI
Vesicles with hydrophobic shells have been self-assembled through three kinds of amphiphilic block copolymers containing pendent azopyridine groups with different spacers, namely PNIPAM-b-PAzPyn (n = 0, 2, 6), respectively. By polarization laser-trapping Raman spectroscopy, the photoinduced orientation behaviors of azopyridine groups within the vesicle shells have been investigated and it is found that spacer lengths affect the orientation of the azopyridine groups and the morphologic structure of the vesicle shells. The exact experimental results show that the orientation is dynamic for the pendent azopyridine groups with connecting spacers of 2 or 6 methylene units rather than those without spacers, so the vesicles of PNIPAM-b-PAzPy6 can be changed to show a typical “soft” character compared with its solid films when irradiated with a relatively weak polarized UV light of 190 µW/cm2. However, the vesicles of PNIPAM-b-PAzPy0 without spacers do not change even though the azopyridine units can be oriented. By quantitative Raman spectral analysis, it is found that the isomerization degree of azopyridine units is 70% for PNIPAM-b-PAzPy6 yet it is 10% for PNIPAM-b-PAzPy0, which shows a close relationship between aggregation and isomerization of azopyridine units under a weak UV light.
DOI
Optical force on a large sphere illuminated by Bessel beams: comparisons between ray optics method and generalized Lorenz–Mie theory
Shukun Song, Neng Wang, Wanli Lu, and Zhifang Lin
Optical forces are calculated for a dielectric spherical particle illuminated by a zero-order Bessel beam based on both the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory (GLMT) and the ray optics method (ROM). Particles with positive and negative refractive indices are examined. The peculiar characteristics of the Bessel beam allow for analytical expressions for the beam shape coefficients required in the GLMT as well as a decomposition of optical force into the gradient and the scattering forces irrespective of the particle size, which enable respective comparisons for the gradient and scattering forces between the results obtained from the GLMT and the ROM. Our results demonstrate that the discrepancy between the results obtained from the GLMT and the ROM depends on the particle refractive index np, the particle size, and, also, the particle location in the beam field. As the particle size increases, the difference between the results from the GLMT and the ROM shows a general tendency of decreasing, as can be expected, but the change may exhibit oscillatory rather than monotonic behavior. A phase diagram is presented that displays the regime for particle size and refractive index where a specified accuracy can be achieved for optical force by the ROM.
DOI
Optical forces are calculated for a dielectric spherical particle illuminated by a zero-order Bessel beam based on both the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory (GLMT) and the ray optics method (ROM). Particles with positive and negative refractive indices are examined. The peculiar characteristics of the Bessel beam allow for analytical expressions for the beam shape coefficients required in the GLMT as well as a decomposition of optical force into the gradient and the scattering forces irrespective of the particle size, which enable respective comparisons for the gradient and scattering forces between the results obtained from the GLMT and the ROM. Our results demonstrate that the discrepancy between the results obtained from the GLMT and the ROM depends on the particle refractive index np, the particle size, and, also, the particle location in the beam field. As the particle size increases, the difference between the results from the GLMT and the ROM shows a general tendency of decreasing, as can be expected, but the change may exhibit oscillatory rather than monotonic behavior. A phase diagram is presented that displays the regime for particle size and refractive index where a specified accuracy can be achieved for optical force by the ROM.
DOI
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Study of hepatocyte plasma membrane mechanical properties using optical trapping
A D Vedyaykin, N E Morozova, G E Pobegalov, A N Arseniev, M A Khodorkoskii and A V Sabantsev
In this paper we describe the use of membrane tether formation technique which is widely used to study mechanical properties of plasma membranes. This method was successfully used for the direct measurement of parameters characterizing membranes mechanical properties (static tether tension force and effective membrane viscosity) of human hepatocytes (HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma line). These results allow using this method in future for diagnostics of the cell membrane, evaluating the influence on the mechanical parameters of various factors, including toxins and drugs.
DOI
In this paper we describe the use of membrane tether formation technique which is widely used to study mechanical properties of plasma membranes. This method was successfully used for the direct measurement of parameters characterizing membranes mechanical properties (static tether tension force and effective membrane viscosity) of human hepatocytes (HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma line). These results allow using this method in future for diagnostics of the cell membrane, evaluating the influence on the mechanical parameters of various factors, including toxins and drugs.
DOI
Optical trapping with Bessel beams generated from semiconductor lasers
G S Sokolovskii, V V Dudelev, S N Losev, K K Soboleva, A G Deryagin, V I Kuchinskii, W Sibbett and E U Rafailov
In this paper, we study generation of Bessel beams from semiconductor lasers with high beam propagation parameter M2 and their utilization for optical trapping and manipulation of microscopic particles including living cells. The demonstrated optical tweezing with diodegenerated Bessel beams paves the way to replace their vibronic-generated counterparts for a range of applications towards novel lab-on-a-chip configurations.
DOI
In this paper, we study generation of Bessel beams from semiconductor lasers with high beam propagation parameter M2 and their utilization for optical trapping and manipulation of microscopic particles including living cells. The demonstrated optical tweezing with diodegenerated Bessel beams paves the way to replace their vibronic-generated counterparts for a range of applications towards novel lab-on-a-chip configurations.
DOI
Rotation dynamics of particles trapped in a rotating beam
Huachao Yu and Weilong She
The rotation dynamics of particles trapped in a rotating beam is theoretically investigated. We find that there is a critical angular speed for the rotating beam. If the angular speed of the rotating beam is smaller than the critical value, the angular velocity of the trapped particle is nearly the same as that of the rotating beam, which is in accord with existing experimental observation. Otherwise, the angular velocity of the trapped particles will become periodic or quasi-periodic with time, depending on the beam polarization, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported. Moreover, we also propose some methods to determine the ratio between the beam power and the maximal angular speed of the trapped particle, which can be used to estimate the minimum power required to rotate the particle at a given angular speed.
DOI
The rotation dynamics of particles trapped in a rotating beam is theoretically investigated. We find that there is a critical angular speed for the rotating beam. If the angular speed of the rotating beam is smaller than the critical value, the angular velocity of the trapped particle is nearly the same as that of the rotating beam, which is in accord with existing experimental observation. Otherwise, the angular velocity of the trapped particles will become periodic or quasi-periodic with time, depending on the beam polarization, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported. Moreover, we also propose some methods to determine the ratio between the beam power and the maximal angular speed of the trapped particle, which can be used to estimate the minimum power required to rotate the particle at a given angular speed.
DOI
Nanoscale phase behavior on flat and curved membranes
Thomas Andersen, Azra Bahadori, Dino Ott, Anders Kyrsting, S Nader S Reihani and Poul M Bendix
The diverse physical properties of membranes play a critical role in many membrane associated biological processes. Proteins responsible for membrane transport can be affected by the lateral membrane order and lateral segregation of proteins is often controlled by the preference of certain membrane anchors for membrane phases having a physically ordered state. The dynamic properties of coexisting membrane phases are often studied by investigating their thermal behavior. Optical trapping of gold nanoparticles is a useful tool to generate local phase transitions in membranes. The high local temperatures surrounding an irradiated gold nanoparticle can be used to melt a part of a giant unilamellar lipid vesicle (GUV) which is then imaged using phase sensitive fluorophores embedded within the bilayer. By local melting of GUVs we reveal how a protein-free, one component lipid bilayer can mediate passive transport of fluorescent molecules by localized and transient pore formation. Also, we show how tubular membrane curvatures can be generated by optical pulling from the melted region on the GUV. This will allow us to measure the effect of membrane curvature on the phase transition temperature.
DOI
The diverse physical properties of membranes play a critical role in many membrane associated biological processes. Proteins responsible for membrane transport can be affected by the lateral membrane order and lateral segregation of proteins is often controlled by the preference of certain membrane anchors for membrane phases having a physically ordered state. The dynamic properties of coexisting membrane phases are often studied by investigating their thermal behavior. Optical trapping of gold nanoparticles is a useful tool to generate local phase transitions in membranes. The high local temperatures surrounding an irradiated gold nanoparticle can be used to melt a part of a giant unilamellar lipid vesicle (GUV) which is then imaged using phase sensitive fluorophores embedded within the bilayer. By local melting of GUVs we reveal how a protein-free, one component lipid bilayer can mediate passive transport of fluorescent molecules by localized and transient pore formation. Also, we show how tubular membrane curvatures can be generated by optical pulling from the melted region on the GUV. This will allow us to measure the effect of membrane curvature on the phase transition temperature.
DOI
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Coupled nano-plasmons
M. Apostol, S. Ilie, A. Petrut, M. Savu, S. Toba
A simple model of coupled plasmons arising in two neighbouring nano-particles is presented. The coupled oscillations and the corresponding eigenfrequencies are computed. It is shown that the plasmons may be periodically transferred between the two particles. For larger separation distances between the two particles the retardation is included. The oscillation eigenmodes are the polaritons in this case. There are distances for which the particles do not couple to each other, i.e. the polaritonic coupling gets damped. The van der Waals-London-Casimir force is estimated for the two particles; it is shown that for large distances the force is repulsive. We compute also the polarizabilities of the two coupled nano-particles and their cross-section under the action of an external monochromatic plane wave, which exhibit resonances indicative of light trapping and field enhancement. A resonant force is also identified, acting upon the particles both on behalf of the external field and of each other.
DOI
A simple model of coupled plasmons arising in two neighbouring nano-particles is presented. The coupled oscillations and the corresponding eigenfrequencies are computed. It is shown that the plasmons may be periodically transferred between the two particles. For larger separation distances between the two particles the retardation is included. The oscillation eigenmodes are the polaritons in this case. There are distances for which the particles do not couple to each other, i.e. the polaritonic coupling gets damped. The van der Waals-London-Casimir force is estimated for the two particles; it is shown that for large distances the force is repulsive. We compute also the polarizabilities of the two coupled nano-particles and their cross-section under the action of an external monochromatic plane wave, which exhibit resonances indicative of light trapping and field enhancement. A resonant force is also identified, acting upon the particles both on behalf of the external field and of each other.
DOI
Topological Switching and Orbiting Dynamics of Colloidal Spheres Dressed with Chiral Nematic Solitons
T. Porenta, S. Čopar, P. J. Ackerman, M. B. Pandey, M. C. M. Varney, I. I. Smalyukh & S. Žumer
Metastable configurations formed by defects, inclusions, elastic deformations and topological solitons in liquid crystals are a promising choice for building photonic crystals and metamaterials with a potential for new optical applications. Local optical modification of the director or introduction of colloidal inclusions into a moderately chiral nematic liquid crystal confined to a homeotropic cell creates localized multistable chiral solitons. Here we induce solitons that “dress” the dispersed spherical particles treated for tangential degenerate boundary conditions, and perform controlled switching of their state using focused optical beams. Two optically switchable distinct metastable states, toron and hopfion, bound to colloidal spheres into structures with different topological charges are investigated. Their structures are examined using Q-tensor based numerical simulations and compared to the profiles reconstructed from the experiments. A topological explanation of observed multistability is constructed.
DOI
Metastable configurations formed by defects, inclusions, elastic deformations and topological solitons in liquid crystals are a promising choice for building photonic crystals and metamaterials with a potential for new optical applications. Local optical modification of the director or introduction of colloidal inclusions into a moderately chiral nematic liquid crystal confined to a homeotropic cell creates localized multistable chiral solitons. Here we induce solitons that “dress” the dispersed spherical particles treated for tangential degenerate boundary conditions, and perform controlled switching of their state using focused optical beams. Two optically switchable distinct metastable states, toron and hopfion, bound to colloidal spheres into structures with different topological charges are investigated. Their structures are examined using Q-tensor based numerical simulations and compared to the profiles reconstructed from the experiments. A topological explanation of observed multistability is constructed.
DOI
Reconstructing Folding Energy Landscape Profiles from Nonequilibrium Pulling Curves with an Inverse Weierstrass Integral Transform
Megan C. Engel, Dustin B. Ritchie, Daniel A. N. Foster, Kevin S. D. Beach, and Michael T. Woodside
The energy landscapes that drive structure formation in biopolymers are difficult to measure. Here we validate experimentally a novel method to reconstruct landscape profiles from single-molecule pulling curves using an inverse Weierstrass transform (IWT) of the Jarzysnki free-energy integral. The method was applied to unfolding measurements of a DNA hairpin, replicating the results found by the more-established weighted histogram (WHAM) and inverse Boltzmann methods. Applying both WHAM and IWT methods to reconstruct the folding landscape for a RNA pseudoknot having a stiff energy barrier, we found that landscape features with sharper curvature than the force probe stiffness could not be recovered with the IWT method. The IWT method is thus best for analyzing data from stiff force probes such as atomic force microscopes.
DOI
The energy landscapes that drive structure formation in biopolymers are difficult to measure. Here we validate experimentally a novel method to reconstruct landscape profiles from single-molecule pulling curves using an inverse Weierstrass transform (IWT) of the Jarzysnki free-energy integral. The method was applied to unfolding measurements of a DNA hairpin, replicating the results found by the more-established weighted histogram (WHAM) and inverse Boltzmann methods. Applying both WHAM and IWT methods to reconstruct the folding landscape for a RNA pseudoknot having a stiff energy barrier, we found that landscape features with sharper curvature than the force probe stiffness could not be recovered with the IWT method. The IWT method is thus best for analyzing data from stiff force probes such as atomic force microscopes.
DOI
Periodic dynamics, localization metastability, and elastic interaction of colloidal particles with confining surfaces and helicoidal structure of cholesteric liquid crystals
Michael C. M. Varney, Qiaoxuan Zhang, Mykola Tasinkevych, Nuno M. Silvestre, Kris A. Bertness, and Ivan I. Smalyukh
Nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals are three-dimensional fluids that possess long-range orientational ordering and can support both topological defects and chiral superstructures. Implications of this ordering remain unexplored even for simple dynamic processes such as the ones found in so-called “fall experiments,” or motion of a spherical inclusion under the effects of gravity. Here we show that elastic and surface anchoring interactions prompt periodic dynamics of colloidal microparticles in confined cholesterics when gravity acts along the helical axis. We explore elastic interactions between colloidal microparticles and confining surfaces as well as with an aligned ground-state helical structure of cholesterics for different sizes of spheres relative to the cholesteric pitch, demonstrating unexpected departures from Stokes-like behavior at very low Reynolds numbers. We characterize metastable localization of microspheres under the effects of elastic and surface anchoring periodic potential landscapes seen by moving spheres, demonstrating the important roles played by anchoring memory, confinement, and topological defect transformation. These experimental findings are consistent with the results of numerical modeling performed through minimizing the total free energy due to colloidal inclusions at different locations along the helical axis and with respect to the confining substrates. A potential application emerging from this work is colloidal sorting based on particle shapes and sizes.
DOI
Nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals are three-dimensional fluids that possess long-range orientational ordering and can support both topological defects and chiral superstructures. Implications of this ordering remain unexplored even for simple dynamic processes such as the ones found in so-called “fall experiments,” or motion of a spherical inclusion under the effects of gravity. Here we show that elastic and surface anchoring interactions prompt periodic dynamics of colloidal microparticles in confined cholesterics when gravity acts along the helical axis. We explore elastic interactions between colloidal microparticles and confining surfaces as well as with an aligned ground-state helical structure of cholesterics for different sizes of spheres relative to the cholesteric pitch, demonstrating unexpected departures from Stokes-like behavior at very low Reynolds numbers. We characterize metastable localization of microspheres under the effects of elastic and surface anchoring periodic potential landscapes seen by moving spheres, demonstrating the important roles played by anchoring memory, confinement, and topological defect transformation. These experimental findings are consistent with the results of numerical modeling performed through minimizing the total free energy due to colloidal inclusions at different locations along the helical axis and with respect to the confining substrates. A potential application emerging from this work is colloidal sorting based on particle shapes and sizes.
DOI
Forces in Aharonov–Bohm optical setting
Sergey Sukhov, Veerachart Kajorndejnukul, John Broky, and Aristide Dogariu
The Aharonov–Bohm effect is usually associated with a path-dependent phase accumulated by a charged matter wave and determined by an effective vector potential. In a more general geometrical framework, such phase alterations have been the hallmark of a host of related phenomena in many different fields. However, besides phase changes, it was suggested that for finite wave-packets there is also an additional deflection leading to observable changes in the wave’s canonical momentum. In this paper, we create an optical scattering situation that permits observing nonconservative reaction forces, which result from the conservation of canonical momentum. We demonstrate experimentally, for the first time, the presence of such mechanical forces with the magnitude and direction determined by the phase dislocation of the vortex state. Our experimental results offer insights into essentially untested phenomena, where forces act on vortex fields, and allow examining the role of conservation laws and symmetries in complex interacting systems.
DOI
The Aharonov–Bohm effect is usually associated with a path-dependent phase accumulated by a charged matter wave and determined by an effective vector potential. In a more general geometrical framework, such phase alterations have been the hallmark of a host of related phenomena in many different fields. However, besides phase changes, it was suggested that for finite wave-packets there is also an additional deflection leading to observable changes in the wave’s canonical momentum. In this paper, we create an optical scattering situation that permits observing nonconservative reaction forces, which result from the conservation of canonical momentum. We demonstrate experimentally, for the first time, the presence of such mechanical forces with the magnitude and direction determined by the phase dislocation of the vortex state. Our experimental results offer insights into essentially untested phenomena, where forces act on vortex fields, and allow examining the role of conservation laws and symmetries in complex interacting systems.
DOI
Monday, December 8, 2014
Interaction of G-quadruplexes in the Full-length 3´ Human Telomeric Overhang
Jibin Abraham Punnoose , Yunxi Cui , Deepak Koirala , Philip M. Yangyuoru , Chiran Ghimire , Prakash Shrestha , and Hanbin Mao
The 3´ human telomeric overhang provides ample opportunities for the formation and interaction of G-quadruplexes, which have shown impacts on many biological functions including telomerase activities in the telomere region. However, in the few investigations on DNA constructs that approach to the full length of the human telomeric overhang, the presence of higher order quadruplex-quadruplex interactions is still a subject of debate. Herein, we employed dynamic splint ligation (DSL) to prepare a DNA construct, 5´-(TTAGGG)24 or 24G, which has the length comparable to the full stretch of 3´ human telomeric overhang. Using mechanical unfolding assays in laser tweezers, we observed a minor population (~4.5%) of higher order interactions between G-quadruplexes while the majority of the quadruplexes follow the bead-on-a-string model. Analyses on the non-interacting G-quadruplexes in the 24G construct showed features similar to those of the stand-alone G-quadruplexes in the 5´-(TTAGGG)4 (4G) construct. As each 24G construct contains as many as six G-quadruplexes, this method offers increased throughput for the time-consuming mechanical unfolding experiments of non-B DNA structures.
DOI
The 3´ human telomeric overhang provides ample opportunities for the formation and interaction of G-quadruplexes, which have shown impacts on many biological functions including telomerase activities in the telomere region. However, in the few investigations on DNA constructs that approach to the full length of the human telomeric overhang, the presence of higher order quadruplex-quadruplex interactions is still a subject of debate. Herein, we employed dynamic splint ligation (DSL) to prepare a DNA construct, 5´-(TTAGGG)24 or 24G, which has the length comparable to the full stretch of 3´ human telomeric overhang. Using mechanical unfolding assays in laser tweezers, we observed a minor population (~4.5%) of higher order interactions between G-quadruplexes while the majority of the quadruplexes follow the bead-on-a-string model. Analyses on the non-interacting G-quadruplexes in the 24G construct showed features similar to those of the stand-alone G-quadruplexes in the 5´-(TTAGGG)4 (4G) construct. As each 24G construct contains as many as six G-quadruplexes, this method offers increased throughput for the time-consuming mechanical unfolding experiments of non-B DNA structures.
DOI
A Universal Law for Plasmon Resonance Shift in Biosensing
Weihua Zhang and Olivier J.F. Martin
We derive an explicit expression for the resonance frequency shift for a subwavelength plasmonic nanocavity upon the adsorption or trapping of a single nanoparticle using rigorous perturbation theory. It reveals a simple linear dependence of the resonance frequency shift on the product of the local field intensity of a resonance mode, the material dispersion factor dω/dε of the nanocavity, and the polarizability of the nanoparticle. To verify this linear relation, we numerically simulate the nanoparticle-induced resonance shifts for subwavelength ellipsoids, rods, rod pairs, and split rings with different sizes and materials, and a very good agreement is found between the theory and the numerical results. Moreover, we discuss this approach from the energy perspective and find that the linear relation can be understood in the context of optical trapping. This work not only reveals the underlining physics of near-field couplings in plasmonic nanocavities, but also provides theoretical guidelines for the design of ultrasensitive nanosensors.
DOI
We derive an explicit expression for the resonance frequency shift for a subwavelength plasmonic nanocavity upon the adsorption or trapping of a single nanoparticle using rigorous perturbation theory. It reveals a simple linear dependence of the resonance frequency shift on the product of the local field intensity of a resonance mode, the material dispersion factor dω/dε of the nanocavity, and the polarizability of the nanoparticle. To verify this linear relation, we numerically simulate the nanoparticle-induced resonance shifts for subwavelength ellipsoids, rods, rod pairs, and split rings with different sizes and materials, and a very good agreement is found between the theory and the numerical results. Moreover, we discuss this approach from the energy perspective and find that the linear relation can be understood in the context of optical trapping. This work not only reveals the underlining physics of near-field couplings in plasmonic nanocavities, but also provides theoretical guidelines for the design of ultrasensitive nanosensors.
DOI
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Enhancing Optical Forces on Fluorescent Up-Converting Nanoparticles by Surface Charge Tailoring
Héctor Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Paloma Rodríguez Sevilla, Emma Martín Rodríguez, Dirk H. Ortgies, Marco Pedroni, Adolfo Speghini, Marco Bettinelli, Daniel Jaque and Patricia Haro-González
3D remote control of multifunctional fluorescent up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs) using optical forces is being required for a great variety of applications including single-particle spectroscopy, single-particle intracellular sensing, controlled and selective light-activated drug delivery and light control at the nanoscale. Most of these potential applications find a serious limitation in the reduced value of optical forces (tens of fN) acting on these nanoparticles, due to their reduced dimensions (typically around 10 nm). In this work, this limitation is faced and it is demonstrated that the magnitude of optical forces acting on UCNPs can be enhanced by more than one order of magnitude by a controlled modification of the particle/medium interface. In particular, substitution of cationic species at the surface by other species with higher mobility could lead to UCNPs trapping with constants comparable to those of spherical metallic nanoparticles.
DOI
3D remote control of multifunctional fluorescent up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs) using optical forces is being required for a great variety of applications including single-particle spectroscopy, single-particle intracellular sensing, controlled and selective light-activated drug delivery and light control at the nanoscale. Most of these potential applications find a serious limitation in the reduced value of optical forces (tens of fN) acting on these nanoparticles, due to their reduced dimensions (typically around 10 nm). In this work, this limitation is faced and it is demonstrated that the magnitude of optical forces acting on UCNPs can be enhanced by more than one order of magnitude by a controlled modification of the particle/medium interface. In particular, substitution of cationic species at the surface by other species with higher mobility could lead to UCNPs trapping with constants comparable to those of spherical metallic nanoparticles.
DOI
On-chip optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy using a TripleX dual-waveguide trap
Martijn Boerkamp, Thijs van Leest, Jeroen Heldens, Arne Leinse, Marcel Hoekman, Rene Heideman, and Jacob Caro
We present a new approach to the dual-beam geometry for on-chip optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy, using waveguides microfabricated in TripleX technology. Such waveguides are box shaped and consist of SiO2 and Si3N4, so as to provide a low index contrast with respect to the SiO2 claddings and low loss, while retaining the advantages of silicon Si3N4. The waveguides enable both the trapping and Raman functionality with the same dual beams. Polystyrene beads of 1 µm diameter can be easily trapped with the device. In the axial direction discrete trapping positions occur, owing to the intensity pattern of the interfering beams. Trapping events are interpreted on the basis of simulated optical fields and calculated optical forces. The average transverse trap stiffness is 0.8 pN/nm/W, indicating that a strong trap is formed by the beams emitted by the waveguides. Finally, we measure Raman spectra of trapped beads for short integration times (down to 0.25 s), which is very promising for Raman spectroscopy of microbiological cells.
DOI
We present a new approach to the dual-beam geometry for on-chip optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy, using waveguides microfabricated in TripleX technology. Such waveguides are box shaped and consist of SiO2 and Si3N4, so as to provide a low index contrast with respect to the SiO2 claddings and low loss, while retaining the advantages of silicon Si3N4. The waveguides enable both the trapping and Raman functionality with the same dual beams. Polystyrene beads of 1 µm diameter can be easily trapped with the device. In the axial direction discrete trapping positions occur, owing to the intensity pattern of the interfering beams. Trapping events are interpreted on the basis of simulated optical fields and calculated optical forces. The average transverse trap stiffness is 0.8 pN/nm/W, indicating that a strong trap is formed by the beams emitted by the waveguides. Finally, we measure Raman spectra of trapped beads for short integration times (down to 0.25 s), which is very promising for Raman spectroscopy of microbiological cells.
DOI
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Probing the Raman-active acoustic vibrations of nanoparticles with extraordinary spectral resolution
Skyler Wheaton, Ryan M. Gelfand & Reuven Gordon
Colloidal quantum dots, viruses, DNA and all other nanoparticles have acoustic vibrations that can act as ‘fingerprints’ to identify their shape, size and mechanical properties, yet high-resolution Raman spectroscopy in this low-energy range has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate extraordinary acoustic Raman (EAR) spectroscopy to measure the Raman-active vibrations of single isolated nanoparticles in the 0.1–10 cm−1 range with ∼0.05 cm−1 resolution, to resolve peak splitting from material anisotropy and to probe the low-frequency modes of biomolecules. EAR employs a nanoaperture laser tweezer that can select particles of interest and manipulate them once identified. We therefore believe that this nanotechnology will enable expanded capabilities for the study of nanoparticles in the materials and life sciences.
DOI
Colloidal quantum dots, viruses, DNA and all other nanoparticles have acoustic vibrations that can act as ‘fingerprints’ to identify their shape, size and mechanical properties, yet high-resolution Raman spectroscopy in this low-energy range has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate extraordinary acoustic Raman (EAR) spectroscopy to measure the Raman-active vibrations of single isolated nanoparticles in the 0.1–10 cm−1 range with ∼0.05 cm−1 resolution, to resolve peak splitting from material anisotropy and to probe the low-frequency modes of biomolecules. EAR employs a nanoaperture laser tweezer that can select particles of interest and manipulate them once identified. We therefore believe that this nanotechnology will enable expanded capabilities for the study of nanoparticles in the materials and life sciences.
DOI
Cytoplasmic dynein transports cargos via load-sharing between the heads
Vladislav Belyy, Nathan L Hendel, Alexander Chien & Ahmet Yildiz
Cytoplasmic dynein is a motor protein that walks along microtubules (MTs) and performs mechanical work to power a variety of cellular processes. It remains unclear how a dynein dimer is able to transport cargos against load without coordinating the stepping cycles of its two heads. Here by using a DNA-tethered optical trapping geometry, we find that the force-generating step of a head occurs in the MT-bound state, while the ‘primed’ unbound state is highly diffusional and only weakly biased to step towards the MT-minus end. The stall forces of the individual heads are additive, with both heads contributing equally to the maximal force production of the dimer. On the basis of these results, we propose that the heads of dynein utilize a ‘load-sharing’ mechanism, unlike kinesin and myosin. This mechanism may allow dynein to work against hindering forces larger than the maximal force produced by a single head.
DOI
Cytoplasmic dynein is a motor protein that walks along microtubules (MTs) and performs mechanical work to power a variety of cellular processes. It remains unclear how a dynein dimer is able to transport cargos against load without coordinating the stepping cycles of its two heads. Here by using a DNA-tethered optical trapping geometry, we find that the force-generating step of a head occurs in the MT-bound state, while the ‘primed’ unbound state is highly diffusional and only weakly biased to step towards the MT-minus end. The stall forces of the individual heads are additive, with both heads contributing equally to the maximal force production of the dimer. On the basis of these results, we propose that the heads of dynein utilize a ‘load-sharing’ mechanism, unlike kinesin and myosin. This mechanism may allow dynein to work against hindering forces larger than the maximal force produced by a single head.
DOI
Generation of microfluidic flow using an optically assembled and magnetically driven microrotor
J Köhler, R Ghadiri, S I Ksouri, Q Guo, E L Gurevich and A Ostendorf
The key components in microfluidic systems are micropumps, valves and mixers. Depending on the chosen technology, the realization of these microsystems often requires rotational and translational control of subcomponents. The manufacturing of such active components as well as the driving principle are still challenging tasks. A promising all-optical approach could be the combination of laser direct writing and actuation based on optical forces. However, when higher actuation velocities are required, optical driving might be too slow. Hence, a novel approach based on optical assembling of microfluidic structures and subsequent magnetic actuation is proposed. By applying the optical assembly of microspherical building blocks as the manufacturing method and magnetic actuation, a microrotor was successfully fabricated and tested within a microfluidic channel. The resulting fluid flow was characterized by introducing an optically levitated measuring probe particle. Finally, a freely moving tracer particle visualizes the generated flow. The tracer particle analysis shows average velocities of 0.4–0.5 µm s−1 achieved with the presented technology.
DOI
The key components in microfluidic systems are micropumps, valves and mixers. Depending on the chosen technology, the realization of these microsystems often requires rotational and translational control of subcomponents. The manufacturing of such active components as well as the driving principle are still challenging tasks. A promising all-optical approach could be the combination of laser direct writing and actuation based on optical forces. However, when higher actuation velocities are required, optical driving might be too slow. Hence, a novel approach based on optical assembling of microfluidic structures and subsequent magnetic actuation is proposed. By applying the optical assembly of microspherical building blocks as the manufacturing method and magnetic actuation, a microrotor was successfully fabricated and tested within a microfluidic channel. The resulting fluid flow was characterized by introducing an optically levitated measuring probe particle. Finally, a freely moving tracer particle visualizes the generated flow. The tracer particle analysis shows average velocities of 0.4–0.5 µm s−1 achieved with the presented technology.
DOI
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Lateral migration of a microdroplet under optical forces in a uniform flow
Hyunjun Cho, Cheong Bong Chang, Jin Ho Jung and Hyung Jin Sung
The behavior of a microdroplet in a uniform flow and subjected to a vertical optical force applied by a loosely focused Gaussian laser beam was studied numerically. The lattice Boltzmann method was applied to obtain the two-phase flow field, and the dynamic ray tracing method was adopted to calculate the optical force. The optical forces acting on the spherical droplets agreed well with the analytical values. The numerically predicted droplet migration distances agreed well with the experimentally obtained values. Simulations of the various flow and optical parameters showed that the droplet migration distance nondimensionalized by the droplet radius is proportional to the S number (zd /rp = 0.377S), which is the ratio of the optical force to the viscous drag. The effect of the surface tension was also examined. These results indicated that the surface tension influenced the droplet migration distance to a lesser degree than the flow and optical parameters. The results of the present work hold for the refractive indices of the mean fluid and the droplet being 1.33 and 1.59, respectively.
DOI
The behavior of a microdroplet in a uniform flow and subjected to a vertical optical force applied by a loosely focused Gaussian laser beam was studied numerically. The lattice Boltzmann method was applied to obtain the two-phase flow field, and the dynamic ray tracing method was adopted to calculate the optical force. The optical forces acting on the spherical droplets agreed well with the analytical values. The numerically predicted droplet migration distances agreed well with the experimentally obtained values. Simulations of the various flow and optical parameters showed that the droplet migration distance nondimensionalized by the droplet radius is proportional to the S number (zd /rp = 0.377S), which is the ratio of the optical force to the viscous drag. The effect of the surface tension was also examined. These results indicated that the surface tension influenced the droplet migration distance to a lesser degree than the flow and optical parameters. The results of the present work hold for the refractive indices of the mean fluid and the droplet being 1.33 and 1.59, respectively.
DOI
Dual Binding of an Antibody and a Small Molecule Increases the Stability of TERRA G-Quadruplex
Philip M. Yangyuoru, Dr. Marco Di Antonio, Chiran Ghimire, Giulia Biffi, Prof. Shankar Balasubramanian, and Prof. Hanbin Mao
In investigating the binding interactions between the human telomeric RNA (TERRA) G-quadruplex (GQ) and its ligands, it was found that the small molecule carboxypyridostatin (cPDS) and the GQ-selective antibody BG4 simultaneously bind the TERRA GQ. We previously showed that the overall binding affinity of BG4 for RNA GQs is not significantly affected in the presence of cPDS. However, single-molecule mechanical unfolding experiments revealed a population (48 %) with substantially increased mechanical and thermodynamic stability. Force-jump kinetic investigations suggested competitive binding of cPDS and BG4 to the TERRA GQ. Following this, the two bound ligands slowly rearrange, thereby leading to the minor population with increased stability. Given the relevance of G-quadruplexes in the regulation of biological processes, we anticipate that the unprecedented conformational rearrangement observed in the TERRA-GQ–ligand complex may inspire new strategies for the selective stabilization of G-quadruplexes in cells.
DOI
In investigating the binding interactions between the human telomeric RNA (TERRA) G-quadruplex (GQ) and its ligands, it was found that the small molecule carboxypyridostatin (cPDS) and the GQ-selective antibody BG4 simultaneously bind the TERRA GQ. We previously showed that the overall binding affinity of BG4 for RNA GQs is not significantly affected in the presence of cPDS. However, single-molecule mechanical unfolding experiments revealed a population (48 %) with substantially increased mechanical and thermodynamic stability. Force-jump kinetic investigations suggested competitive binding of cPDS and BG4 to the TERRA GQ. Following this, the two bound ligands slowly rearrange, thereby leading to the minor population with increased stability. Given the relevance of G-quadruplexes in the regulation of biological processes, we anticipate that the unprecedented conformational rearrangement observed in the TERRA-GQ–ligand complex may inspire new strategies for the selective stabilization of G-quadruplexes in cells.
DOI
Elucidating Microscopic Structure and Dynamics in Optically Tweezed Environments
Debjit Roy, Dipankar Mondal, Debabrata Goswami
To probe the structure and dynamics of molecules under optical trapping conditions, we exploit the effect of femtosecond Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between dye molecules coated on the surface of polystyrene microspheres of various sizes suspended in water. The use of femtosecond laser pulses enables sensitive detection through two-photon fluorescence (TPF). Unlike conventional backscatter signal, the TPF signal shows a slow counterintuitive decay for the trapped microspheres when they are not fully within the laser illuminated volume. This decay is a characteristic sign of the occurrence of the FRET process. For microspheres with sizes less than the trapping focal volume, trapping of multiple particles can occur leading to the formation of optically bound clusters. Using different laser polarizations, we also extract information about the structure and dynamics of such optically bound clusters as a consequence of FRET.
DOI
To probe the structure and dynamics of molecules under optical trapping conditions, we exploit the effect of femtosecond Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between dye molecules coated on the surface of polystyrene microspheres of various sizes suspended in water. The use of femtosecond laser pulses enables sensitive detection through two-photon fluorescence (TPF). Unlike conventional backscatter signal, the TPF signal shows a slow counterintuitive decay for the trapped microspheres when they are not fully within the laser illuminated volume. This decay is a characteristic sign of the occurrence of the FRET process. For microspheres with sizes less than the trapping focal volume, trapping of multiple particles can occur leading to the formation of optically bound clusters. Using different laser polarizations, we also extract information about the structure and dynamics of such optically bound clusters as a consequence of FRET.
DOI
Friday, November 28, 2014
Optical forces in nanoplasmonic systems: How do they work, what can they be useful for?
Olivier Martin, T.V. Raziman and R.I. Wolke
In this article, we share our vision for a future nanofactory, where plasmonic trapping is used to control the different manufacturing steps associated with the transformation of initial nanostructures to produce complex compounds. All the different functions existing in a traditional factory can be translated at the nanoscale using the optical forces produced by plasmonic nanostructures. A detailed knowledge of optical forces in plasmonic nanostructures is however essential to design such a nanofactory. To this end, we review the numerical techniques for computing optical forces on nanostructures immersed in a strong optical field and show under which conditions approximate solutions, like the dipole approximation, can be used in a satisfactory manner. Internal optical forces on realistic plasmonic antennas are investigated and the reconfiguration of a Fano-resonant plasmonic system using such internal forces is also studied in detail.
DOI
In this article, we share our vision for a future nanofactory, where plasmonic trapping is used to control the different manufacturing steps associated with the transformation of initial nanostructures to produce complex compounds. All the different functions existing in a traditional factory can be translated at the nanoscale using the optical forces produced by plasmonic nanostructures. A detailed knowledge of optical forces in plasmonic nanostructures is however essential to design such a nanofactory. To this end, we review the numerical techniques for computing optical forces on nanostructures immersed in a strong optical field and show under which conditions approximate solutions, like the dipole approximation, can be used in a satisfactory manner. Internal optical forces on realistic plasmonic antennas are investigated and the reconfiguration of a Fano-resonant plasmonic system using such internal forces is also studied in detail.
DOI
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Optical rotation by plasmonic circular dichroism of isolated gold nanorod aggregates
Kamalesh Chaudhari and Thalappil Pradeep
We show that plasmonic chirality in single gold nanorod (GNR) aggregates leads to the rotation of polarization of the scattered light. 3D glasses in conjunction with linearly polarized dark field scattering microspectroscopy were used to study the chirality of single GNR aggregates. Using this hetero-polarizer setup, we not only detect but also quantify their chirality. A polar mapping strategy was used for providing direct evidence for the emergence of light of different polarization angles when chiral GNR aggregates were excited with circularly polarized light of different handedness. Further, we have developed a methodology to eliminate fluctuations in the scattering intensity by averaging and normalizing the data. This allows calculation of plasmonic circular dichroism scattering spectra with high accuracy.
DOI
We show that plasmonic chirality in single gold nanorod (GNR) aggregates leads to the rotation of polarization of the scattered light. 3D glasses in conjunction with linearly polarized dark field scattering microspectroscopy were used to study the chirality of single GNR aggregates. Using this hetero-polarizer setup, we not only detect but also quantify their chirality. A polar mapping strategy was used for providing direct evidence for the emergence of light of different polarization angles when chiral GNR aggregates were excited with circularly polarized light of different handedness. Further, we have developed a methodology to eliminate fluctuations in the scattering intensity by averaging and normalizing the data. This allows calculation of plasmonic circular dichroism scattering spectra with high accuracy.
DOI
Tight focusing of a radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beam and its application to manipulation of two types of particles
Zhongquan Nie, Guang Shi, Dongyu Li, Xueru Zhang, Yuxiao Wang, Yinglin Song
The intensity distributions near the focus for radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams by a high numerical aperture objective in the immersion liquid are computed based on the vector diffraction theory. We compare the focusing properties of the radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams with those of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian modes. Furthermore, the effects of the optimally designed concentric three-zone phase filters on the intensity profiles in the focal region are examined. We further analyze the radiation forces on Rayleigh particles produced by the highly focused radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams using the specially engineered three-zone phase filters.
DOI
The intensity distributions near the focus for radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams by a high numerical aperture objective in the immersion liquid are computed based on the vector diffraction theory. We compare the focusing properties of the radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams with those of Laguerre–Gaussian and Bessel–Gaussian modes. Furthermore, the effects of the optimally designed concentric three-zone phase filters on the intensity profiles in the focal region are examined. We further analyze the radiation forces on Rayleigh particles produced by the highly focused radially polarized Laguerre–Bessel–Gaussian beams using the specially engineered three-zone phase filters.
DOI
Dynamic operation of optical fibres beyond the single-mode regime facilitates the orientation of biological cells
Moritz Kreysing, Dino Ott, Michael J. Schmidberger, Oliver Otto, Mirjam Schürmann, Estela Martín-Badosa, Graeme Whyte & Jochen Guck
The classical purpose of optical fibres is delivery of either optical power, as for welding, or temporal information, as for telecommunication. Maximum performance in both cases is provided by the use of single-mode optical fibres. However, transmitting spatial information, which necessitates higher-order modes, is difficult because their dispersion relation leads to dephasing and a deterioration of the intensity distribution with propagation distance. Here we consciously exploit the fundamental cause of the beam deterioration—the dispersion relation of the underlying vectorial electromagnetic modes—by their selective excitation using adaptive optics. This allows us to produce output beams of high modal purity, which are well defined in three dimensions. The output beam distribution is even robust against significant bending of the fibre. The utility of this approach is exemplified by the controlled rotational manipulation of live cells in a dual-beam fibre-optical trap integrated into a modular lab-on-chip system.
DOI
The classical purpose of optical fibres is delivery of either optical power, as for welding, or temporal information, as for telecommunication. Maximum performance in both cases is provided by the use of single-mode optical fibres. However, transmitting spatial information, which necessitates higher-order modes, is difficult because their dispersion relation leads to dephasing and a deterioration of the intensity distribution with propagation distance. Here we consciously exploit the fundamental cause of the beam deterioration—the dispersion relation of the underlying vectorial electromagnetic modes—by their selective excitation using adaptive optics. This allows us to produce output beams of high modal purity, which are well defined in three dimensions. The output beam distribution is even robust against significant bending of the fibre. The utility of this approach is exemplified by the controlled rotational manipulation of live cells in a dual-beam fibre-optical trap integrated into a modular lab-on-chip system.
DOI
Latest achievements in generalized Lorenz-Mie theories: A commented reference database
G. Gouesbet
Generalized Lorenz-Mie theories form a set of analytical approaches dealing with the interaction between electromagnetic arbitrary shaped beams and a class of particles possessing enough symmetries to allow one to use the method of separation of variables. This paper provides a commented reference database concerning generalized Lorenz-Mie theories for the period 2009-2013.
DOI
Generalized Lorenz-Mie theories form a set of analytical approaches dealing with the interaction between electromagnetic arbitrary shaped beams and a class of particles possessing enough symmetries to allow one to use the method of separation of variables. This paper provides a commented reference database concerning generalized Lorenz-Mie theories for the period 2009-2013.
DOI
Monday, November 24, 2014
Manipulation of dielectric particles with nondiffracting parabolic beams
Antonio Ortiz-Ambriz, Julio C. Gutiérrez-Vega, and Dmitri Petrov
The trapping and manipulation of microscopic particles embedded in the structure of nondiffracting parabolic beams is reported. The particles acquire orbital angular momentum and exhibit an open trajectory following the parabolic fringes of the beam. We observe an asymmetry in the terminal velocity of the particles caused by the counteracting gradient and scattering forces.
DOI
The trapping and manipulation of microscopic particles embedded in the structure of nondiffracting parabolic beams is reported. The particles acquire orbital angular momentum and exhibit an open trajectory following the parabolic fringes of the beam. We observe an asymmetry in the terminal velocity of the particles caused by the counteracting gradient and scattering forces.
DOI
Sunday, November 23, 2014
FDTD analysis of optical forces on bowtie antennas for high-precision trapping of nanostructures
Arif E. Cetin
We theoretically investigate the optical forces generated by a high near-field resolution antenna system through finite difference time domain calculations along with the Maxwell stress tensor method. Our antenna choice is bowtie-shaped nanostructures with small gap regions, exploiting propagating waveguide modes as well as localized surface plasmons. Our analysis shows that the antenna system supports large optical forces at the resonance wavelength where the near-field intensities as well as their gradients are the largest within the gap region. We show that the system exhibits much larger optical forces when the incident light polarization is along the bowtie gap as the system can effectively leverage the gap effect, compared to the case when the system is under the polarization normal to the gap. We also investigate the forces on a dielectric bead in the vicinity of the antennas for different positions to show the optical force characteristics of the bowtie-shaped antennas. Finally, the force analysis on different bead radiuses demonstrates the trapping efficiency of our antenna system.
DOI
We theoretically investigate the optical forces generated by a high near-field resolution antenna system through finite difference time domain calculations along with the Maxwell stress tensor method. Our antenna choice is bowtie-shaped nanostructures with small gap regions, exploiting propagating waveguide modes as well as localized surface plasmons. Our analysis shows that the antenna system supports large optical forces at the resonance wavelength where the near-field intensities as well as their gradients are the largest within the gap region. We show that the system exhibits much larger optical forces when the incident light polarization is along the bowtie gap as the system can effectively leverage the gap effect, compared to the case when the system is under the polarization normal to the gap. We also investigate the forces on a dielectric bead in the vicinity of the antennas for different positions to show the optical force characteristics of the bowtie-shaped antennas. Finally, the force analysis on different bead radiuses demonstrates the trapping efficiency of our antenna system.
DOI
Photophoretic trapping-Raman spectroscopy for single pollens and fungal spores trapped in air
Chuji Wang, Yong-Le Pan, Steven C. Hill, Brandon Redding
Photophoretic trapping-Raman spectroscopy (PTRS) is a new technique for measuring Raman spectra of particles that are held in air using photophoretic forces. It was initially demonstrated with Raman spectra of strongly-absorbing carbon nanoparticles (Pan et al. [44] (Opt Express 2012)). In the present paper we report the first demonstration of the use of PTRS to measure Raman spectra of absorbing and weakly-absorbing bioaerosol particles (pollens and spores). Raman spectra of three pollens and one smut spore in a size range of 6.2–41.8 µm illuminated at 488 nm are shown. Quality spectra were obtained in the Raman shift range of 1600–3400 cm−1 in this exploratory study. Distinguishable Raman scattering signals with one or a few clear Raman peaks for all four aerosol particles were observed within the wavenumber region 2940–3030 cm−1. Peaks in this region are consistent with previous reports of Raman peaks in the 1600–3400 cm−1 range for pollens and spores excited at 514 nm measured by a conventional Raman spectrometer. Noise in the spectra, the fluorescence background, and the weak Raman signals in most of the 1600–3400 cm−1 region make some of the spectral features barely discernable or not discernable for these bioaerosols except the strong signal within 2940–3030 cm−1. Up to five bands are identified in the three pollens and only two bands appear in the fungal spore, but this may be because the fungal spore is so much smaller than any of the pollens. The fungal spore signal relative to the air-nitrogen Raman band is approximately 10 times smaller than that ratio for the pollens. The five bands are tentatively assigned to the CH2 symmetric stretch at 2948 cm−1, CH2 Fermi resonance stretch at 2970 cm−1, CH3 symmetric stretch at 2990 cm−1, CH3 out-of-plane end asymmetric stretch at 3010 cm−1, and unsaturated =CH stretch at 3028 cm−1. The two dominant bands of the up-to-five Raman bands in the 2940–3030 cm−1 region have a consistent band spacing of 25 cm−1 in all four aerosols. Finally we discuss improvements to the PTRS that should provide a system which can trap a higher fraction of particle types and obtain Raman spectra over a larger range (e.g., 200–3600 cm−1) than those achieved here.
DOI
Photophoretic trapping-Raman spectroscopy (PTRS) is a new technique for measuring Raman spectra of particles that are held in air using photophoretic forces. It was initially demonstrated with Raman spectra of strongly-absorbing carbon nanoparticles (Pan et al. [44] (Opt Express 2012)). In the present paper we report the first demonstration of the use of PTRS to measure Raman spectra of absorbing and weakly-absorbing bioaerosol particles (pollens and spores). Raman spectra of three pollens and one smut spore in a size range of 6.2–41.8 µm illuminated at 488 nm are shown. Quality spectra were obtained in the Raman shift range of 1600–3400 cm−1 in this exploratory study. Distinguishable Raman scattering signals with one or a few clear Raman peaks for all four aerosol particles were observed within the wavenumber region 2940–3030 cm−1. Peaks in this region are consistent with previous reports of Raman peaks in the 1600–3400 cm−1 range for pollens and spores excited at 514 nm measured by a conventional Raman spectrometer. Noise in the spectra, the fluorescence background, and the weak Raman signals in most of the 1600–3400 cm−1 region make some of the spectral features barely discernable or not discernable for these bioaerosols except the strong signal within 2940–3030 cm−1. Up to five bands are identified in the three pollens and only two bands appear in the fungal spore, but this may be because the fungal spore is so much smaller than any of the pollens. The fungal spore signal relative to the air-nitrogen Raman band is approximately 10 times smaller than that ratio for the pollens. The five bands are tentatively assigned to the CH2 symmetric stretch at 2948 cm−1, CH2 Fermi resonance stretch at 2970 cm−1, CH3 symmetric stretch at 2990 cm−1, CH3 out-of-plane end asymmetric stretch at 3010 cm−1, and unsaturated =CH stretch at 3028 cm−1. The two dominant bands of the up-to-five Raman bands in the 2940–3030 cm−1 region have a consistent band spacing of 25 cm−1 in all four aerosols. Finally we discuss improvements to the PTRS that should provide a system which can trap a higher fraction of particle types and obtain Raman spectra over a larger range (e.g., 200–3600 cm−1) than those achieved here.
DOI
Collective flow dynamics across a bacterial carpet: Understanding the forces generated
Yi-Teng Hsiao, Jing-Hui Wang, Kuan-Ting Wu, Jengjan Tsai, Cheng-Hung Chang and Wei-Yen Woon
Bacterial carpets consist of randomly anchored uni-polar-flagellated sodium-motive bacterial matrix are prepared by flow deposition. Collective flow dynamics across the bacterial carpets are probed with optical tweezers-microsphere assay. Around the center of a uniform bacterial cluster, collective forces that pull microsphere towards carpet surface are detected at a distance of 10 μm away from carpets. At sodium-motive driving over a critical value, the force magnitudes increase abruptly, suggesting a threshold-like transition of hydrodynamic synchronization across bacterial carpet. The abrupt force increase is explained in term of bifurcation to phase synchronization in a noisy non-linearly coupled rotor array mediated by hydrodynamic interactions.
DOI
Bacterial carpets consist of randomly anchored uni-polar-flagellated sodium-motive bacterial matrix are prepared by flow deposition. Collective flow dynamics across the bacterial carpets are probed with optical tweezers-microsphere assay. Around the center of a uniform bacterial cluster, collective forces that pull microsphere towards carpet surface are detected at a distance of 10 μm away from carpets. At sodium-motive driving over a critical value, the force magnitudes increase abruptly, suggesting a threshold-like transition of hydrodynamic synchronization across bacterial carpet. The abrupt force increase is explained in term of bifurcation to phase synchronization in a noisy non-linearly coupled rotor array mediated by hydrodynamic interactions.
DOI
Characterizing conical refraction optical tweezers
C. McDonald, C. McDougall, E. Rafailov, and D. McGloin
Conical refraction occurs when a beam of light travels through an appropriately cut biaxial crystal. By focusing the conically refracted beam through a high numerical aperture microscope objective, conical refraction optical tweezers can be created, allowing for particle manipulation in both Raman spots, and in the Lloyd/Poggendorff rings. We present a thorough quantification of the trapping properties of such a beam, focusing on the trap stiffness, and how this varies with trap power and trapped particle location. We show that the lower Raman spot can be thought of as a single-beam optical gradient force trap, while radiation pressure dominates in the upper Raman spot, leading to optical levitation rather than trapping. Particles in the Lloyd/Poggendorff rings experience a lower trap stiffness than particles in the lower Raman spot, but benefit from rotational control.
DOI
Conical refraction occurs when a beam of light travels through an appropriately cut biaxial crystal. By focusing the conically refracted beam through a high numerical aperture microscope objective, conical refraction optical tweezers can be created, allowing for particle manipulation in both Raman spots, and in the Lloyd/Poggendorff rings. We present a thorough quantification of the trapping properties of such a beam, focusing on the trap stiffness, and how this varies with trap power and trapped particle location. We show that the lower Raman spot can be thought of as a single-beam optical gradient force trap, while radiation pressure dominates in the upper Raman spot, leading to optical levitation rather than trapping. Particles in the Lloyd/Poggendorff rings experience a lower trap stiffness than particles in the lower Raman spot, but benefit from rotational control.
DOI
Friday, November 21, 2014
Template stripped double nanohole in a gold film for nano-optical tweezers
Ana Zehtabi-Oskuie, Aurora A Zinck, Ryan M Gelfand and Reuven Gordon
Double nanohole (DNH) laser tweezers can optically trap and manipulate objects such as
proteins, nanospheres, and other nanoparticles; however, precise fabrication of those DNHs has been expensive with low throughput. In this work, template stripping was used to pattern DNHs with gaps as small as 7 nm, in optically thick Au films. These DNHs were used to trap streptavidin as proof of operation. The structures were processed multiple times from the same template to demonstrate reusability. Template stripping is a promising method for high-throughput, reproducible, and cost efficient fabrication of DNH apertures for optical trapping.
DOI
Double nanohole (DNH) laser tweezers can optically trap and manipulate objects such as
proteins, nanospheres, and other nanoparticles; however, precise fabrication of those DNHs has been expensive with low throughput. In this work, template stripping was used to pattern DNHs with gaps as small as 7 nm, in optically thick Au films. These DNHs were used to trap streptavidin as proof of operation. The structures were processed multiple times from the same template to demonstrate reusability. Template stripping is a promising method for high-throughput, reproducible, and cost efficient fabrication of DNH apertures for optical trapping.
DOI
Cleaved fiber optic double nanohole optical tweezers for trapping nanoparticles
Ryan M. Gelfand, Skylar Wheaton, and Reuven Gordon
We demonstrate the trapping of single 20 and 40 nm polystyrene spheres at the cleaved end of a fiber optic with a double nanohole aperture in gold and without any microscope optics. An optical transmission increase of 15% indicates a trapping event for the 40 nm particle, and the jump is 2% for the 20 nm particle. This modular technique can be used to replace those used with current optical trapping setups that require complicated free space optics and frequent calibration, with one that is modular and requires no free space optics. This simple arrangement with the potential for fiber translation is of interest for future biosensor and optical nano-pipette devices.
DOI
We demonstrate the trapping of single 20 and 40 nm polystyrene spheres at the cleaved end of a fiber optic with a double nanohole aperture in gold and without any microscope optics. An optical transmission increase of 15% indicates a trapping event for the 40 nm particle, and the jump is 2% for the 20 nm particle. This modular technique can be used to replace those used with current optical trapping setups that require complicated free space optics and frequent calibration, with one that is modular and requires no free space optics. This simple arrangement with the potential for fiber translation is of interest for future biosensor and optical nano-pipette devices.
DOI
Optical sorting of nonspherical and living microobjects in moving interference structures
Petr Jákl, Alejandro V. Arzola, Martin Šiler, Lukáš Chvátal, Karen Volke-Sepúlveda, and Pavel Zemánek
Contactless, sterile and nondestructive separation of microobjects or living cells is demanded in many areas of biology and analytical chemistry, as well as in physics or engineering. Here we demonstrate advanced sorting methods based on the optical forces exerted by travelling interference fringes with tunable periodicity controlled by a spatial light modulator. Besides the sorting of spherical particles we also demonstrate separation of algal cells of different sizes and particles of different shapes. The three presented methods offer simultaneous sorting of more objects in static suspension placed in a Petri dish or on a microscope slide.
DOI
Contactless, sterile and nondestructive separation of microobjects or living cells is demanded in many areas of biology and analytical chemistry, as well as in physics or engineering. Here we demonstrate advanced sorting methods based on the optical forces exerted by travelling interference fringes with tunable periodicity controlled by a spatial light modulator. Besides the sorting of spherical particles we also demonstrate separation of algal cells of different sizes and particles of different shapes. The three presented methods offer simultaneous sorting of more objects in static suspension placed in a Petri dish or on a microscope slide.
DOI
Thursday, November 20, 2014
An integrated centrifugo-opto-microfluidic platform for arraying, analysis, identification and manipulation of individual cells
R. Burger, D. Kurzbuch, R. Gorkin, G. Kijanka, M. Glynn, C. McDonagh and J. Ducrée
In this work we present a centrifugal microfluidic system enabling highly efficient collective trapping and alignment of particles such as microbeads and cells, their multi-colour fluorescent detection and subsequent manipulation by optical tweezers. We demonstrate array-based capture and imaging followed by “cherry-picking” of individual particles, first for fluorescently labelled polystyrene (PS) beads and then for cells. Different cell lines are discriminated based on intracellular as well as surface-based markers.
DOI
In this work we present a centrifugal microfluidic system enabling highly efficient collective trapping and alignment of particles such as microbeads and cells, their multi-colour fluorescent detection and subsequent manipulation by optical tweezers. We demonstrate array-based capture and imaging followed by “cherry-picking” of individual particles, first for fluorescently labelled polystyrene (PS) beads and then for cells. Different cell lines are discriminated based on intracellular as well as surface-based markers.
DOI
Birefringence of a normal human red blood cell and related optomechanics in an optical trap
Belavadi Venkatakrishnaiah Nagesh; Yogesha; Ramarao Pratibha; Praveen Parthasarathi; Shruthi Subhash Iyengar; Sarbari Bhattacharya; Sharath Ananthamurthy
A normal human red blood cell (RBC) when trapped with a linearly polarized laser, reorients about the electric polarization direction and then remains rotationally bound to this direction. This behavior is expected for a birefringent object. We have measured the birefringence of distortion-free RBCs in an isotonic medium using a polarizing microscope. The birefringence is confined to the cell’s dimple region and the slow axis is along a diameter. We report an average retardation of 3.5±1.5 nm for linearly polarized green light (λ=546 nm). We also estimate a retardation of 1.87±0.09 nm from the optomechanical response of the RBC in an optical trap. We reason that the birefringence is a property of the cell membrane and propose a simple model attributing the origin of birefringence to the phospholipid molecules in the lipid bilayer and the variation to the membrane curvature. We observe that RBCs reconstituted in shape subsequent to crenation show diminished birefringence along with a sluggish optomechanical response in a trap. As the arrangement of phospholipid molecules in the cell membrane is disrupted on crenation, this lends credence to our conjecture on the origin of birefringence. Dependence of the birefringence on membrane contours is further illustrated through studies on chicken RBCs.
DOI
A normal human red blood cell (RBC) when trapped with a linearly polarized laser, reorients about the electric polarization direction and then remains rotationally bound to this direction. This behavior is expected for a birefringent object. We have measured the birefringence of distortion-free RBCs in an isotonic medium using a polarizing microscope. The birefringence is confined to the cell’s dimple region and the slow axis is along a diameter. We report an average retardation of 3.5±1.5 nm for linearly polarized green light (λ=546 nm). We also estimate a retardation of 1.87±0.09 nm from the optomechanical response of the RBC in an optical trap. We reason that the birefringence is a property of the cell membrane and propose a simple model attributing the origin of birefringence to the phospholipid molecules in the lipid bilayer and the variation to the membrane curvature. We observe that RBCs reconstituted in shape subsequent to crenation show diminished birefringence along with a sluggish optomechanical response in a trap. As the arrangement of phospholipid molecules in the cell membrane is disrupted on crenation, this lends credence to our conjecture on the origin of birefringence. Dependence of the birefringence on membrane contours is further illustrated through studies on chicken RBCs.
DOI
Structural Rearrangements in CHO Cells After Disruption of Individual Cytoskeletal Elements and Plasma Membrane
Špela Zemljič Jokhadar, Jure Derganc
Cellular structural integrity is provided primarily by the cytoskeleton, which comprises microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments. The plasma membrane has been also recognized as a mediator of physical forces, yet its contribution to the structural integrity of the cell as a whole is less clear. In order to investigate the relationship between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton, we selectively disrupted the plasma membrane and each of the cytoskeletal elements in Chinese hamster ovary cells and assessed subsequent changes in cellular structural integrity. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize cytoskeletal rearrangements, and optical tweezers were utilized to quantify membrane tether extraction. We found that cholesterol depletion from the plasma membrane resulted in rearrangements of all cytoskeletal elements. Conversely, the state of the plasma membrane, as assessed by tether extraction, was affected by disruption of any of the cytoskeletal elements, including microtubules and intermediate filaments, which are located mainly in the cell interior. The results demonstrate that, besides the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane is an important contributor to cellular integrity, possibly by acting as an essential framework for cytoskeletal anchoring. In agreement with the tensegrity model of cell mechanics, our results support the notion of the cell as a prestressed structure.
DOI
Cellular structural integrity is provided primarily by the cytoskeleton, which comprises microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments. The plasma membrane has been also recognized as a mediator of physical forces, yet its contribution to the structural integrity of the cell as a whole is less clear. In order to investigate the relationship between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton, we selectively disrupted the plasma membrane and each of the cytoskeletal elements in Chinese hamster ovary cells and assessed subsequent changes in cellular structural integrity. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize cytoskeletal rearrangements, and optical tweezers were utilized to quantify membrane tether extraction. We found that cholesterol depletion from the plasma membrane resulted in rearrangements of all cytoskeletal elements. Conversely, the state of the plasma membrane, as assessed by tether extraction, was affected by disruption of any of the cytoskeletal elements, including microtubules and intermediate filaments, which are located mainly in the cell interior. The results demonstrate that, besides the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane is an important contributor to cellular integrity, possibly by acting as an essential framework for cytoskeletal anchoring. In agreement with the tensegrity model of cell mechanics, our results support the notion of the cell as a prestressed structure.
DOI
Whirl-enhanced continuous wave laser trapping of particles
Stanislaw Bartkiewicz and Andrzej Miniewicz
Tightly focused laser beams can trap micro- and nanoparticles suspended in liquids in their focal spots enabling different functionalities including 3D manipulations and assembling. Here, we report on a remarkable strength liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization experiments in para-nitroaniline dissolved in 1,4-dioxane. For optical trapping of the para-nitroaniline we used partially absorbed by solute low-power, weakly focused light beam from continuous-wave laser. The experiments were performed for solution deposited on glass with upper free-surface and solution contained between two glass plates. The usual gradient field force and scattering force solely are insufficient to properly describe the observed particle gathering effects extending far beyond the optical trap potential. The concept of whirl-enhanced and temperature assisted optical trapping is postulated. The relative simplicity of the used geometry for trapping will broaden the understanding of the light-matter interaction and promises widespread application of the observed effect in optically controlled crystallization.
DOI
Tightly focused laser beams can trap micro- and nanoparticles suspended in liquids in their focal spots enabling different functionalities including 3D manipulations and assembling. Here, we report on a remarkable strength liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization experiments in para-nitroaniline dissolved in 1,4-dioxane. For optical trapping of the para-nitroaniline we used partially absorbed by solute low-power, weakly focused light beam from continuous-wave laser. The experiments were performed for solution deposited on glass with upper free-surface and solution contained between two glass plates. The usual gradient field force and scattering force solely are insufficient to properly describe the observed particle gathering effects extending far beyond the optical trap potential. The concept of whirl-enhanced and temperature assisted optical trapping is postulated. The relative simplicity of the used geometry for trapping will broaden the understanding of the light-matter interaction and promises widespread application of the observed effect in optically controlled crystallization.
DOI
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Energy flow between two hydrodynamically coupled particles kept at different effective temperatures
A. Bérut, A. Petrosyan and S. Ciliberto
We measure the energy exchanged between two hydrodynamically coupled micron-sized Brownian particles trapped in water by two optical tweezers. The system is driven out of equilibrium by random-forcing the position of one of the two particles. The forced particle behaves as it has an "effective temperature" higher than that of the other bead. This driving modifies the equilibrium variances and cross-correlation functions of the bead positions: we measure an energy flow between the particles and an instantaneous cross-correlation, proportional to the effective temperature difference between the two particles. A model of the interaction which is based on classical hydrodynamic coupling tensors is proposed. The theoretical and experimental results are in excellent agreement.
DOI
We measure the energy exchanged between two hydrodynamically coupled micron-sized Brownian particles trapped in water by two optical tweezers. The system is driven out of equilibrium by random-forcing the position of one of the two particles. The forced particle behaves as it has an "effective temperature" higher than that of the other bead. This driving modifies the equilibrium variances and cross-correlation functions of the bead positions: we measure an energy flow between the particles and an instantaneous cross-correlation, proportional to the effective temperature difference between the two particles. A model of the interaction which is based on classical hydrodynamic coupling tensors is proposed. The theoretical and experimental results are in excellent agreement.
DOI
Low-temperature Bessel beam trap for single submicrometer aerosol particle studies
Jessica W. Lu, Merrill Isenor, Egor Chasovskikh, David Stapfer and Ruth Signorell
We report on a new instrument for single aerosol particle studies at low temperatures that combines an optical trap consisting of two counter-propagating Bessel beams (CPBBs) and temperature control down to 223 K (−50 °C). The apparatus is capable of capturing and stably trapping individual submicrometer- to micrometer-sized aerosol particles for up to several hours. First results from studies of hexadecane, dodecane, and water aerosols reveal that we can trap and freeze supercooled droplets ranging in size from ∼450 nm to 5500 nm (radius). We have conducted homogeneous and heterogeneous freezing experiments, freezing-melting cycles, and evaporation studies. To our knowledge, this is the first reported observation of the freezing process for levitated single submicrometer-sized droplets in air using optical trapping techniques. These results show that a temperature-controlled CPBB trap is an attractive new method for studying phase transitions of individual submicrometer aerosol particles.
DOI
We report on a new instrument for single aerosol particle studies at low temperatures that combines an optical trap consisting of two counter-propagating Bessel beams (CPBBs) and temperature control down to 223 K (−50 °C). The apparatus is capable of capturing and stably trapping individual submicrometer- to micrometer-sized aerosol particles for up to several hours. First results from studies of hexadecane, dodecane, and water aerosols reveal that we can trap and freeze supercooled droplets ranging in size from ∼450 nm to 5500 nm (radius). We have conducted homogeneous and heterogeneous freezing experiments, freezing-melting cycles, and evaporation studies. To our knowledge, this is the first reported observation of the freezing process for levitated single submicrometer-sized droplets in air using optical trapping techniques. These results show that a temperature-controlled CPBB trap is an attractive new method for studying phase transitions of individual submicrometer aerosol particles.
DOI
Realization of nonequilibrium thermodynamic processes using external colored noise
Pau Mestres, Ignacio A. Martinez, Antonio Ortiz-Ambriz, Raul A. Rica, and Edgar Roldan
We investigate the dynamics of single microparticles immersed in water that are driven out of equilibrium in the presence of an additional external colored noise. As a case study, we trap a single polystyrene particle in water with optical tweezers and apply an external electric field with flat spectrum but a finite bandwidth of the order of kHz. The intensity of the external noise controls the amplitude of the fluctuations of the position of the particle and therefore of its effective temperature. Here we show, in two different nonequilibrium experiments, that the fluctuations of the work done on the particle obey the Crooks fluctuation theorem at the equilibrium effective temperature, given that the sampling frequency and the noise cutoff frequency are properly chosen.
DOI
We investigate the dynamics of single microparticles immersed in water that are driven out of equilibrium in the presence of an additional external colored noise. As a case study, we trap a single polystyrene particle in water with optical tweezers and apply an external electric field with flat spectrum but a finite bandwidth of the order of kHz. The intensity of the external noise controls the amplitude of the fluctuations of the position of the particle and therefore of its effective temperature. Here we show, in two different nonequilibrium experiments, that the fluctuations of the work done on the particle obey the Crooks fluctuation theorem at the equilibrium effective temperature, given that the sampling frequency and the noise cutoff frequency are properly chosen.
DOI
A method for an approximate determination of a polymer-rich-domain concentration in phase-separated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) aqueous solution by means of confocal Raman microspectroscopy combined with optical tweezers
Tatsuya Shoji, Riku Nohara, Noboru Kitamura, Yasuyuki Tsuboi
The paper demonstrates that a confocal Raman microspectroscope combined with optical tweezers is a promising technique to estimate polymer concentration in polymer-rich domain in phase-separated-aqueous polymer solution. The sample polymer is poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) that is well-known as a representative thermo-responsive polymer. Optical tweezers can selectively trap the polymer-rich domain at the focal point in non-contact and non-intrusive modes. Such situation allows us to determine polymer concentration in the domain, which has been unclear due to a lack of appropriate analytical technique. It is applicable for a variety of other thermo-responsive polymers.
DOI
The paper demonstrates that a confocal Raman microspectroscope combined with optical tweezers is a promising technique to estimate polymer concentration in polymer-rich domain in phase-separated-aqueous polymer solution. The sample polymer is poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) that is well-known as a representative thermo-responsive polymer. Optical tweezers can selectively trap the polymer-rich domain at the focal point in non-contact and non-intrusive modes. Such situation allows us to determine polymer concentration in the domain, which has been unclear due to a lack of appropriate analytical technique. It is applicable for a variety of other thermo-responsive polymers.
DOI
Pulling extremely anisotropic lossy particles using light without intensity gradient
Andrey Novitsky and Cheng-Wei Qiu
We study the effect of pulling optical force acting on a nonmagnetic anisotropic bead in electromagnetic fields without intensity gradient. Extreme anisotropy can be realized by a hyperbolic metamaterial made of metal-dielectric multilayers. We find that a passive anisotropic Rayleigh particle cannot be pulled by the electromagnetic beam without intensity gradient and the nonparaxial incident beams can exert backward negative force acting on anisotropic dipole spheres. We investigate the validity of the dipole approximation and establish the conditions for pulling hyperbolic-metamaterial particles. It is important to note that the loss in hyperbolic metamaterial does not suppress the effect of pulling force. We notice that the nonradial components of the permittivity tensor strongly affect the optical force and propose the way of material engineering to ensure the optical pulling.
DOI
We study the effect of pulling optical force acting on a nonmagnetic anisotropic bead in electromagnetic fields without intensity gradient. Extreme anisotropy can be realized by a hyperbolic metamaterial made of metal-dielectric multilayers. We find that a passive anisotropic Rayleigh particle cannot be pulled by the electromagnetic beam without intensity gradient and the nonparaxial incident beams can exert backward negative force acting on anisotropic dipole spheres. We investigate the validity of the dipole approximation and establish the conditions for pulling hyperbolic-metamaterial particles. It is important to note that the loss in hyperbolic metamaterial does not suppress the effect of pulling force. We notice that the nonradial components of the permittivity tensor strongly affect the optical force and propose the way of material engineering to ensure the optical pulling.
DOI
Nano-optomechanics with optically levitated nanoparticles
Levi P. Neukirch & A. Nick Vamivakas
Nano-optomechanics is a vibrant area of research that continues to push the boundary of quantum science and measurement technology. Recently, it has been realised that the optical forces experienced by polarisable nanoparticles can provide a novel platform for nano-optomechanics with untethered mechanical oscillators. Remarkably, these oscillators are expected to exhibit quality factors approaching . The pronounced quality factors are a direct result of the mechanical oscillator being freed from a supporting substrate. This review provides an overview of the basic optical physics underpinning optical trapping and optical levitation experiments, it discusses a number of experimental approaches to optical trapping and finally outlines possible applications of this nano-optomechanics modality in hybrid quantum systems and nanoscale optical metrology.
DOI
Nano-optomechanics is a vibrant area of research that continues to push the boundary of quantum science and measurement technology. Recently, it has been realised that the optical forces experienced by polarisable nanoparticles can provide a novel platform for nano-optomechanics with untethered mechanical oscillators. Remarkably, these oscillators are expected to exhibit quality factors approaching . The pronounced quality factors are a direct result of the mechanical oscillator being freed from a supporting substrate. This review provides an overview of the basic optical physics underpinning optical trapping and optical levitation experiments, it discusses a number of experimental approaches to optical trapping and finally outlines possible applications of this nano-optomechanics modality in hybrid quantum systems and nanoscale optical metrology.
DOI
Monday, November 17, 2014
Optical trapping of core-shell magnetic microparticles by cylindrical vector beams
Min-Cheng Zhong, Lei Gong, Di Li, Jin-Hua Zhou, Zi-Qiang Wang and Yin-Mei Li
Optical trapping of core-shell magnetic microparticles is experimentally demonstrated by using cylindrical vector beams. Second, we investigate the optical trapping efficiencies. The results show that radially and azimuthally polarized beams exhibit higher axial trapping efficiencies than the Gaussian beam. Finally, a trapped particle is manipulated to kill a cancer cell. The results make possible utilizing magnetic particles for optical manipulation, which is an important advantage for magnetic particles as labeling agent in targeted medicine and biological analysis.
DOI
Optical trapping of core-shell magnetic microparticles is experimentally demonstrated by using cylindrical vector beams. Second, we investigate the optical trapping efficiencies. The results show that radially and azimuthally polarized beams exhibit higher axial trapping efficiencies than the Gaussian beam. Finally, a trapped particle is manipulated to kill a cancer cell. The results make possible utilizing magnetic particles for optical manipulation, which is an important advantage for magnetic particles as labeling agent in targeted medicine and biological analysis.
DOI
Upconversion particle as a local luminescent Brownian probe - a photonic force microscopy study
Flavio M. Mor, Andrzej Sienkiewicz, László Forró, and Sylvia Jeney
Near-infrared (NIR) light sensitive lanthanide-doped NaYF4 upconversion particles (UCPs) are gaining increasing attention as local probes in biomedical applications. Here, we implemented a photonic force microscope (PFM) to manipulate and study the optical properties of trapped single UCPs, β-NaYF4:Yb,Er. In particular, we focused on the mechanisms of the optical trapping of spherical and non-spherical UCPs of different sizes, in the range of 0.5 - 2 μm, as well as on their upconversion photoluminescence (UCL) properties under excitation with a strongly focused laser beam (λ = 1064 nm) of the PFM, operating at power densities up to 14.7 MW cm−2. A careful analysis of UCL under such conditions points to three emission peaks at 469, 503.6 and 616.1 nm, which were not reported before. The analysis of Brownian motion was used to quantify the thermal fluctuations of the particle inside the optical trap as well as the particle sizes and optical forces acting in two dimensions perpendicular to the optical axis. A steep dependence of UCL as a function of the particle diameter was found for UCPs having sizes smaller than the focal spot (900 nm) of the NIR laser.
DOI
Near-infrared (NIR) light sensitive lanthanide-doped NaYF4 upconversion particles (UCPs) are gaining increasing attention as local probes in biomedical applications. Here, we implemented a photonic force microscope (PFM) to manipulate and study the optical properties of trapped single UCPs, β-NaYF4:Yb,Er. In particular, we focused on the mechanisms of the optical trapping of spherical and non-spherical UCPs of different sizes, in the range of 0.5 - 2 μm, as well as on their upconversion photoluminescence (UCL) properties under excitation with a strongly focused laser beam (λ = 1064 nm) of the PFM, operating at power densities up to 14.7 MW cm−2. A careful analysis of UCL under such conditions points to three emission peaks at 469, 503.6 and 616.1 nm, which were not reported before. The analysis of Brownian motion was used to quantify the thermal fluctuations of the particle inside the optical trap as well as the particle sizes and optical forces acting in two dimensions perpendicular to the optical axis. A steep dependence of UCL as a function of the particle diameter was found for UCPs having sizes smaller than the focal spot (900 nm) of the NIR laser.
DOI
Unveiling the correlation between non-diffracting tractor beam and its singularity in Poynting vector
Dongliang Gao, Andrey Novitsky, Tianhang Zhang, Fook Chiong Cheong, Lei Gao, Chwee Teck Lim, Boris Luk'yanchuk and Cheng-Wei Qiu
This paper investigates the singular optics of nonparaxial light beams in the near field when the light behaves as a tractor beam. New insights into the optical pulling force, which is usually represented by integrating the stress tensor at a black box enclosing the object, are interpreted by the optical singularity of the Poynting vector. The negative nonconservative pulling force originates from the transfer of the azimuthal Poynting vector to the longitudinal component partly owing to the presence of a scatterer. The separatrice pattern and singularity shifts of the Poynting vector unanimously exhibit a differentiable near-field distribution in the presence of optical pulling force. A new method is established to calculate the near-field optical force using the differential Poynting vector in the far field. The results obtained provide a clear physical interpretation of the light–matter interaction and manifest the significance of singular optics in manipulating objects.
DOI
This paper investigates the singular optics of nonparaxial light beams in the near field when the light behaves as a tractor beam. New insights into the optical pulling force, which is usually represented by integrating the stress tensor at a black box enclosing the object, are interpreted by the optical singularity of the Poynting vector. The negative nonconservative pulling force originates from the transfer of the azimuthal Poynting vector to the longitudinal component partly owing to the presence of a scatterer. The separatrice pattern and singularity shifts of the Poynting vector unanimously exhibit a differentiable near-field distribution in the presence of optical pulling force. A new method is established to calculate the near-field optical force using the differential Poynting vector in the far field. The results obtained provide a clear physical interpretation of the light–matter interaction and manifest the significance of singular optics in manipulating objects.
DOI
Three-dimensional microfabrication using local electrophoresis deposition and a laser trapping technique
Takanari Takai, Hidenobu Nakao, and Futoshi Iwata
We describe a novel fabrication method of three-dimensional (3D) microstructures using local electrophoresis deposition together with laser trapping. A liquid cell consisting of two-faced conductive substrates was filled with a colloidal solution of Au nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were trapped by a laser spot and positioned on the bottom substrate, then deposited onto the surface by the application of electrical voltage between the two substrates. By moving the liquid cell downward while maintaining the deposition, 3D microstructures were successfully fabricated. The smallest diameter of the fabricated pillar was 500 nm, almost the same as that of the Airy disc. The Young’s modulus of the fabricated structure was 1.5 GPa.
DOI
We describe a novel fabrication method of three-dimensional (3D) microstructures using local electrophoresis deposition together with laser trapping. A liquid cell consisting of two-faced conductive substrates was filled with a colloidal solution of Au nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were trapped by a laser spot and positioned on the bottom substrate, then deposited onto the surface by the application of electrical voltage between the two substrates. By moving the liquid cell downward while maintaining the deposition, 3D microstructures were successfully fabricated. The smallest diameter of the fabricated pillar was 500 nm, almost the same as that of the Airy disc. The Young’s modulus of the fabricated structure was 1.5 GPa.
DOI
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Comparative study of methods to calibrate the stiffness of a single-beam gradient-force optical tweezers over various laser trapping powers
Mohammad Sarshar; Winson T. Wong; Bahman Anvari
Optical tweezers have become an important instrument in force measurements associated with various physical, biological, and biophysical phenomena. Quantitative use of optical tweezers relies on accurate calibration of the stiffness of the optical trap. Using the same optical tweezers platform operating at 1064 nm and beads with two different diameters, we present a comparative study of viscous drag force, equipartition theorem, Boltzmann statistics, and power spectral density (PSD) as methods in calibrating the stiffness of a single beam gradient force optical trap at trapping laser powers in the range of 0.05 to 1.38 W at the focal plane. The equipartition theorem and Boltzmann statistic methods demonstrate a linear stiffness with trapping laser powers up to 355 mW, when used in conjunction with video position sensing means. The PSD of a trapped particle’s Brownian motion or measurements of the particle displacement against known viscous drag forces can be reliably used for stiffness calibration of an optical trap over a greater range of trapping laser powers. Viscous drag stiffness calibration method produces results relevant to applications where trapped particle undergoes large displacements, and at a given position sensing resolution, can be used for stiffness calibration at higher trapping laser powers than the PSD method.
DOI
Optical tweezers have become an important instrument in force measurements associated with various physical, biological, and biophysical phenomena. Quantitative use of optical tweezers relies on accurate calibration of the stiffness of the optical trap. Using the same optical tweezers platform operating at 1064 nm and beads with two different diameters, we present a comparative study of viscous drag force, equipartition theorem, Boltzmann statistics, and power spectral density (PSD) as methods in calibrating the stiffness of a single beam gradient force optical trap at trapping laser powers in the range of 0.05 to 1.38 W at the focal plane. The equipartition theorem and Boltzmann statistic methods demonstrate a linear stiffness with trapping laser powers up to 355 mW, when used in conjunction with video position sensing means. The PSD of a trapped particle’s Brownian motion or measurements of the particle displacement against known viscous drag forces can be reliably used for stiffness calibration of an optical trap over a greater range of trapping laser powers. Viscous drag stiffness calibration method produces results relevant to applications where trapped particle undergoes large displacements, and at a given position sensing resolution, can be used for stiffness calibration at higher trapping laser powers than the PSD method.
DOI
Direct 2D measurement of time-averaged forces and pressure amplitudes in acoustophoretic devices using optical trapping
Stefan Lakämper, Andreas Lamprecht, Iwan A. T. Schaap and Jurg Dual
Ultrasonic standing waves are increasingly applied in the manipulation and sorting of micrometer-sized particles in microfluidic cells. To optimize the performance of such devices, it is essential to know the exact forces that the particles experience in the acoustic wave. Although much progress has been made via analytical and numerical modeling, the reliability of these methods relies strongly on the assumptions used, e.g. the boundary conditions. Here, we have combined an acoustic flow cell with an optical laser trap to directly measure the force on a single spherical particle in two dimensions. While performing ultrasonic frequency scans, we measured the time-averaged forces on single particles that were moved with the laser trap through the microfluidic cell. The cell including piezoelectric transducers was modeled with finite element methods. We found that the experimentally obtained forces and the derived pressure fields confirm the predictions from theory and modeling. This novel approach can now be readily expanded to other particle, chamber, and fluid regimes and opens up the possibility of studying the effects of the presence of boundaries, acoustic streaming, and non-linear fluids.
DOI
Ultrasonic standing waves are increasingly applied in the manipulation and sorting of micrometer-sized particles in microfluidic cells. To optimize the performance of such devices, it is essential to know the exact forces that the particles experience in the acoustic wave. Although much progress has been made via analytical and numerical modeling, the reliability of these methods relies strongly on the assumptions used, e.g. the boundary conditions. Here, we have combined an acoustic flow cell with an optical laser trap to directly measure the force on a single spherical particle in two dimensions. While performing ultrasonic frequency scans, we measured the time-averaged forces on single particles that were moved with the laser trap through the microfluidic cell. The cell including piezoelectric transducers was modeled with finite element methods. We found that the experimentally obtained forces and the derived pressure fields confirm the predictions from theory and modeling. This novel approach can now be readily expanded to other particle, chamber, and fluid regimes and opens up the possibility of studying the effects of the presence of boundaries, acoustic streaming, and non-linear fluids.
DOI
Analysis of radiation pressure induced nonlinear optofluidics
Yong Xu, Peng Zhang, Sunghwan Jung, and Aram Lee
We analyze two nonlinear optofluidic processes where nonlinearity is induced by the interplay between optical field and liquid interface. Specifically, guided optical waves generate radiation pressure on the liquid interface, which can in turn distort the liquid interface and modify the properties of the optical field. In the first example, we discuss the feasibility of nonlinear optofluidic solitons, where optical field is governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and nonlinearity is effectively determined by liquid properties. Then, we analyze a nonlinear optofluidic process associated with a high quality (Q) factor whispering gallery mode (WGM) in a liquid droplet. Similar to Kerr effects, the WGM can produce a frequency shift proportional to the WGM power. Using liquid properties that are experimentally attainable, we find that it may only take a few photons to generate measurable WGM resonance shift. Such a possibility may eventually lead to nonlinear optics at single photon energy level.
DOI
We analyze two nonlinear optofluidic processes where nonlinearity is induced by the interplay between optical field and liquid interface. Specifically, guided optical waves generate radiation pressure on the liquid interface, which can in turn distort the liquid interface and modify the properties of the optical field. In the first example, we discuss the feasibility of nonlinear optofluidic solitons, where optical field is governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and nonlinearity is effectively determined by liquid properties. Then, we analyze a nonlinear optofluidic process associated with a high quality (Q) factor whispering gallery mode (WGM) in a liquid droplet. Similar to Kerr effects, the WGM can produce a frequency shift proportional to the WGM power. Using liquid properties that are experimentally attainable, we find that it may only take a few photons to generate measurable WGM resonance shift. Such a possibility may eventually lead to nonlinear optics at single photon energy level.
DOI
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Dynamic particle tracking via temporal focusing multiphoton microscopy with astigmatism imaging
Chi-Hsiang Lien, Chun-Yu Lin, Shean-Jen Chen, and Fan-Ching Chien
A three-dimensional (3D) single fluorescent particle tracking strategy based on temporal focusing multiphoton excitation microscopy (TFMPEM) combined with astigmatism imaging is proposed for delivering nanoscale-level axial information that reveals 3D trajectories of single fluorospheres in the axially-resolved multiphoton excitation volume without z-axis scanning. Whereas other scanning spatial focusing multiphoton excitation schemes induce optical trapping interference, temporal focusing multiphoton excitation produces widefield illumination with minimum optical trapping force on the fluorospheres. Currently, the lateral and axial positioning resolutions of the dynamic particle tracking approach are about 14 nm and 21 nm in standard deviation, respectively. Furthermore, the motion behavior and diffusion coefficients of fluorospheres in glycerol solutions with different concentrations are dynamically measured at a frame rate up to 100 Hz. This TFMPEM with astigmatism imaging holds great promise for exploring dynamic molecular behavior deep inside biotissues via its superior penetration, reduced trapping effect, fast frame rate, and nanoscale-level positioning.
DOI
A three-dimensional (3D) single fluorescent particle tracking strategy based on temporal focusing multiphoton excitation microscopy (TFMPEM) combined with astigmatism imaging is proposed for delivering nanoscale-level axial information that reveals 3D trajectories of single fluorospheres in the axially-resolved multiphoton excitation volume without z-axis scanning. Whereas other scanning spatial focusing multiphoton excitation schemes induce optical trapping interference, temporal focusing multiphoton excitation produces widefield illumination with minimum optical trapping force on the fluorospheres. Currently, the lateral and axial positioning resolutions of the dynamic particle tracking approach are about 14 nm and 21 nm in standard deviation, respectively. Furthermore, the motion behavior and diffusion coefficients of fluorospheres in glycerol solutions with different concentrations are dynamically measured at a frame rate up to 100 Hz. This TFMPEM with astigmatism imaging holds great promise for exploring dynamic molecular behavior deep inside biotissues via its superior penetration, reduced trapping effect, fast frame rate, and nanoscale-level positioning.
DOI
Rotation dynamics of a uniaxial birefringent cylinder in an optical tweezer with a rotating polarization ellipse
Huachao Yu and Weilong She
We make a theoretical investigation on the rotation dynamics of a uniaxial birefringent cylinder in an optical tweezer with a rotating polarization ellipse. Analytical results have been obtained for the cylinder suspended in fluid with a low Reynolds number. They show that there are two distinct rotational states of the cylinder. In one state, the optical axis of the cylinder rotates synchronously with the rotating polarization ellipse. In another state, the optical axis rotates at a time-periodic angular velocity. We find that such a rotation feature is rooted in the angular dependence of the radiation torque exerted on the cylinder. We also notice that the transmitted light through the cylinder carries the information of rotation angle of the cylinder, which enables one to measure quantities such as the cylinder’s angular velocity and its period by detecting the power of the transmitted light.
DOI
We make a theoretical investigation on the rotation dynamics of a uniaxial birefringent cylinder in an optical tweezer with a rotating polarization ellipse. Analytical results have been obtained for the cylinder suspended in fluid with a low Reynolds number. They show that there are two distinct rotational states of the cylinder. In one state, the optical axis of the cylinder rotates synchronously with the rotating polarization ellipse. In another state, the optical axis rotates at a time-periodic angular velocity. We find that such a rotation feature is rooted in the angular dependence of the radiation torque exerted on the cylinder. We also notice that the transmitted light through the cylinder carries the information of rotation angle of the cylinder, which enables one to measure quantities such as the cylinder’s angular velocity and its period by detecting the power of the transmitted light.
DOI
Universal, strong and long-ranged trapping by optical conveyors
David B. Ruffner and David G. Grier
Optical conveyors are active tractor beams that selectively transport illuminated objects either upstream or downstream along their axes. Formed by the coherent superposition of coaxial Bessel beams, an optical conveyor features an axial array of equally spaced intensity maxima that act as optical traps for small objects. We demonstrate through measurements on colloidal spheres and numerical calculations based on the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory that optical conveyors’ interferometric structure endows them with trapping characteristics far superior to those of conventional optical tweezers. Optical conveyors form substantially stiffer traps and can transport a wider variety of materials over a much longer axial range.
DOI
Optical conveyors are active tractor beams that selectively transport illuminated objects either upstream or downstream along their axes. Formed by the coherent superposition of coaxial Bessel beams, an optical conveyor features an axial array of equally spaced intensity maxima that act as optical traps for small objects. We demonstrate through measurements on colloidal spheres and numerical calculations based on the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory that optical conveyors’ interferometric structure endows them with trapping characteristics far superior to those of conventional optical tweezers. Optical conveyors form substantially stiffer traps and can transport a wider variety of materials over a much longer axial range.
DOI
Friday, November 7, 2014
Optofluidic taming of a colloidal dimer with a silicon nanocavity
C. Pin, B. Cluzel, C. Renaut, D. Peyrade, E. Picard, E. Hadji and F. de Fornel
We report here the optical trapping of a heterogeneous colloidal dimer above a photonic crystal nanocavity used as an on-chip optical tweezer. The trapped dimer consists of a cluster of two dielectric microbeads of different sizes linked by van der Waals forces. The smallest bead, 1 μm in diameter, is observed to be preferentially trapped by the nanotweezer, leaving the second bead untrapped. The rotational nature of the trapped dimer Brownian motion is first evidenced. Then, in the presence of a fluid flow, control of its orientation and rotation is achieved. The whole system is found to show high rotational degrees of freedom, thereby acting as an effective flow-sensitive microscopic optical ball joint.
DOI
We report here the optical trapping of a heterogeneous colloidal dimer above a photonic crystal nanocavity used as an on-chip optical tweezer. The trapped dimer consists of a cluster of two dielectric microbeads of different sizes linked by van der Waals forces. The smallest bead, 1 μm in diameter, is observed to be preferentially trapped by the nanotweezer, leaving the second bead untrapped. The rotational nature of the trapped dimer Brownian motion is first evidenced. Then, in the presence of a fluid flow, control of its orientation and rotation is achieved. The whole system is found to show high rotational degrees of freedom, thereby acting as an effective flow-sensitive microscopic optical ball joint.
DOI
Structure and function of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae from differing assembly pathways
Narges Mortezaei, Chelsea R. Epler, Paul P. Shao, Mariam Shirdel, Bhupender Singh, Annette McVeigh, Bernt Eric Uhlin, Stephen J. Savarino, Magnus Andersson and Esther Bullitt
Pathogenic enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are the major bacterial cause of diarrhea in young children in developing countries and in travelers, causing significant mortality in children. Adhesive fimbriae are a prime virulence factor for ETEC, initiating colonization of the small intestinal epithelium. Similar to other Gram-negative bacteria, ETEC express one or more diverse fimbriae, some assembled by the chaperone-usher pathway and others by the alternate chaperone pathway. Here we elucidate structural and biophysical aspects and adaptations of each fimbrial type to its respective host niche. CS20 fimbriae are compared to CFA/I fimbriae, which are two ETEC fimbriae assembled via different pathways, and to P-fimbriae from uropathogenic E. coli. Many fimbriae unwind from their native helical filament to an extended linear conformation under force, thereby sustaining adhesion by reducing load at the point of contact between the bacterium and the target cell. CFA/I fimbriae require the least force to unwind, followed by CS20 fimbriae and then P-fimbriae, which require the highest unwinding force. We conclude from our electron microscopy reconstructions, modeling, and force spectroscopy data that the target niche plays a central role in the biophysical properties of fimbriae that are critical for bacterial pathophysiology.
DOI
Pathogenic enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are the major bacterial cause of diarrhea in young children in developing countries and in travelers, causing significant mortality in children. Adhesive fimbriae are a prime virulence factor for ETEC, initiating colonization of the small intestinal epithelium. Similar to other Gram-negative bacteria, ETEC express one or more diverse fimbriae, some assembled by the chaperone-usher pathway and others by the alternate chaperone pathway. Here we elucidate structural and biophysical aspects and adaptations of each fimbrial type to its respective host niche. CS20 fimbriae are compared to CFA/I fimbriae, which are two ETEC fimbriae assembled via different pathways, and to P-fimbriae from uropathogenic E. coli. Many fimbriae unwind from their native helical filament to an extended linear conformation under force, thereby sustaining adhesion by reducing load at the point of contact between the bacterium and the target cell. CFA/I fimbriae require the least force to unwind, followed by CS20 fimbriae and then P-fimbriae, which require the highest unwinding force. We conclude from our electron microscopy reconstructions, modeling, and force spectroscopy data that the target niche plays a central role in the biophysical properties of fimbriae that are critical for bacterial pathophysiology.
DOI
The use of optical trap and microbeam to investigate the mechanical and transport characteristics of tunneling nanotubes in tumor spheroids
Pooja Patheja, Raktim Dasgupta, Alok Dube, Sunita Ahlawat, Ravi Shanker Verma and Pradeep Kumar Gupta
Manipulation of cells at the surface of tumor spheroid using optical tweezers and injection of fluorescent dye into a trapped cell using optoporation technique.
The use of optical trap and microbeam for investigating mechanical and transport properties of inter cellular tunneling nanotubes (TnTs) in tumor spheroids has been demonstrated. TnTs in tumor spheroids have been visualized by manipulating TnT connected cells using optical tweezers. Functionality of the TnTs for transferring cytoplasmic vesicles and injected dye molecules by optoporation method has been studied. Further, the TnTs could be longitudinally stretched by manipulating the connected cells and their elastic response was studied.
DOI
Manipulation of cells at the surface of tumor spheroid using optical tweezers and injection of fluorescent dye into a trapped cell using optoporation technique.
The use of optical trap and microbeam for investigating mechanical and transport properties of inter cellular tunneling nanotubes (TnTs) in tumor spheroids has been demonstrated. TnTs in tumor spheroids have been visualized by manipulating TnT connected cells using optical tweezers. Functionality of the TnTs for transferring cytoplasmic vesicles and injected dye molecules by optoporation method has been studied. Further, the TnTs could be longitudinally stretched by manipulating the connected cells and their elastic response was studied.
DOI
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Levitation of finite-size electric dipole over epsilon-near-zero metamaterial
Sergey Krasikov, Ivan V. Iorsh, Alexander Shalin and Pavel A. Belov
Following the suggestion of Rodriguez-Fortuno et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 033902 (2014)], we study the repulsive force acting on a electric dipole placed over a surface of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial. The dependence of the repulsive force value on the dipole size has been studied. We show that the effect of finite size drastically affects the values of the repulsive force as compared to the point-dipole case.
DOI
Following the suggestion of Rodriguez-Fortuno et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 033902 (2014)], we study the repulsive force acting on a electric dipole placed over a surface of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial. The dependence of the repulsive force value on the dipole size has been studied. We show that the effect of finite size drastically affects the values of the repulsive force as compared to the point-dipole case.
DOI
Determination of motility forces on isolated chromosomes with laser tweezers
Nima Khatibzadeh, Alexander B. Stilgoe, Ann A. M. Bui, Yesenia Rocha, Gladys M. Cruz, Vince Loke, Linda Z. Shi, Timo A. Nieminen, Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop & Michael W. Berns
Quantitative determination of the motility forces of chromosomes during cell division is fundamental to understanding a process that is universal among eukaryotic organisms. Using an optical tweezers system, isolated mammalian chromosomes were held in a 1064 nm laser trap. The minimum force required to move a single chromosome was determined to be ≈0.8–5 pN. The maximum transverse trapping efficiency of the isolated chromosomes was calculated as ≈0.01–0.02. These results confirm theoretical force calculations of ≈0.1–12 pN to move a chromosome on the mitotic or meiotic spindle. The verification of these results was carried out by calibration of the optical tweezers when trapping microspheres with a diameter of 4.5–15 µm in media with 1–7 cP viscosity. The results of the chromosome and microsphere trapping experiments agree with optical models developed to simulate trapping of cylindrical and spherical specimens.
DOI
Quantitative determination of the motility forces of chromosomes during cell division is fundamental to understanding a process that is universal among eukaryotic organisms. Using an optical tweezers system, isolated mammalian chromosomes were held in a 1064 nm laser trap. The minimum force required to move a single chromosome was determined to be ≈0.8–5 pN. The maximum transverse trapping efficiency of the isolated chromosomes was calculated as ≈0.01–0.02. These results confirm theoretical force calculations of ≈0.1–12 pN to move a chromosome on the mitotic or meiotic spindle. The verification of these results was carried out by calibration of the optical tweezers when trapping microspheres with a diameter of 4.5–15 µm in media with 1–7 cP viscosity. The results of the chromosome and microsphere trapping experiments agree with optical models developed to simulate trapping of cylindrical and spherical specimens.
DOI
The minimal cadherin-catenin complex binds to actin filaments under force
Craig D. Buckley, Jiongyi Tan, Karen L. Anderson, Dorit Hanein, Niels Volkmann, William I. Weis, W. James Nelson, Alexander R. Dunn
Cadherins are an ancient class of transmembrane proteins that are essential for the formation of multicellular tissues in metazoans. Cadherins link intercellular adhesions to the cellular cytoskeleton, but how they are connected specifically to actin filaments is a hotly debated issue. Genetic and cell culture experiments indicate that E-cadherin, β-catenin, and the actin filament binding protein αE-catenin form a minimal cadherin-catenin complex that binds to the actin cytoskeleton directly in epithelial tissues. However, experiments with purified proteins showed that a stable cadherin-catenin complex can be reconstituted, but it does not bind strongly to actin filaments in solution. Nevertheless, cell culture experiments indicated that the cadherin-catenin complex is under constitutive actomyosin-generated tension and that this connection is required for mechanotransduction at cadherin-based adhesions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that tension is required to stabilize a linkage between the cadherin-catenin complex and actin filaments, and clarify how the cadherin-catenin complex could interact directly with the actin cytoskeleton in cells.
DOI
Cadherins are an ancient class of transmembrane proteins that are essential for the formation of multicellular tissues in metazoans. Cadherins link intercellular adhesions to the cellular cytoskeleton, but how they are connected specifically to actin filaments is a hotly debated issue. Genetic and cell culture experiments indicate that E-cadherin, β-catenin, and the actin filament binding protein αE-catenin form a minimal cadherin-catenin complex that binds to the actin cytoskeleton directly in epithelial tissues. However, experiments with purified proteins showed that a stable cadherin-catenin complex can be reconstituted, but it does not bind strongly to actin filaments in solution. Nevertheless, cell culture experiments indicated that the cadherin-catenin complex is under constitutive actomyosin-generated tension and that this connection is required for mechanotransduction at cadherin-based adhesions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that tension is required to stabilize a linkage between the cadherin-catenin complex and actin filaments, and clarify how the cadherin-catenin complex could interact directly with the actin cytoskeleton in cells.
DOI
Optical trapping in the presence of higher order mode sources and interactions
I Liberal, I Ederra, R Gonzalo and R W Ziolkowski
The force fields produced by higher order mode (HOM) TMen1 sources are investigated analytically and numerically. Their application to optical manipulation and trapping is emphasized. It is found that the strong reactive fields excited by these advanced HOM nanoantennas significantly enhance both the gradient and near-field absorption-scattering forces, as well as increase the range of attraction of those absorption-scattering forces. Moreover, the impact on these force fields by the excitation of HOMs in a nanoparticle is addressed. These results are used to demonstrate the theoretical possibility of the generation of tractor beams by highly subwavelength sources on resonant dipolar nanoparticles. The analysis reveals that the associated attractive forces can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude before the HOMs induce any noticeable degradation of the radiation efficiency. The practical implementation of HOM TMen1 sources by means of active core-shell resonators, as well as their potential for the self-induced trapping of fluorescent molecules, is also addressed.
DOI
The force fields produced by higher order mode (HOM) TMen1 sources are investigated analytically and numerically. Their application to optical manipulation and trapping is emphasized. It is found that the strong reactive fields excited by these advanced HOM nanoantennas significantly enhance both the gradient and near-field absorption-scattering forces, as well as increase the range of attraction of those absorption-scattering forces. Moreover, the impact on these force fields by the excitation of HOMs in a nanoparticle is addressed. These results are used to demonstrate the theoretical possibility of the generation of tractor beams by highly subwavelength sources on resonant dipolar nanoparticles. The analysis reveals that the associated attractive forces can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude before the HOMs induce any noticeable degradation of the radiation efficiency. The practical implementation of HOM TMen1 sources by means of active core-shell resonators, as well as their potential for the self-induced trapping of fluorescent molecules, is also addressed.
DOI
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
All-fiber self-accelerating Bessel-like beam generator and its application
Zhihai Liu, Yaxun Zhang, Yu Zhang, Peibo Liang, Jun Yang, and Libo Yuan
We demonstrate an all-fiber transverse self-accelerating Bessel-like beam generator and its optical trapping application. The theoretical and experimental studies have been provided to verify this beam properties. We produce the Bessel-like beam by splicing the single-mode fiber and multimode fiber with a defined offset and then modulating the output light beam phase by fabricating a small hemispherical-lens fiber tip; therefore, the phase-modulated Bessel-like beam generates the properties of transverse self-accelerating. The transverse acceleration of the the Bessel-like beam generated here is ∼10−4 μm−1, which is almost 100 times larger than that of the beam generated in the free-space optical circuit based on the lens. The experimental and simulated results have good consistencies. The realization of the microparticle transverse acceleration transporting with this Bessel-like beam provides a new method for microparticles to be transported in a bending trajectory. This all-fiber transverse self-accelerating Bessel-like beam generator structure is simple, with high integration and small size, and constitutes a new development for high-precision biological cell experiments and manipulations.
DOI
We demonstrate an all-fiber transverse self-accelerating Bessel-like beam generator and its optical trapping application. The theoretical and experimental studies have been provided to verify this beam properties. We produce the Bessel-like beam by splicing the single-mode fiber and multimode fiber with a defined offset and then modulating the output light beam phase by fabricating a small hemispherical-lens fiber tip; therefore, the phase-modulated Bessel-like beam generates the properties of transverse self-accelerating. The transverse acceleration of the the Bessel-like beam generated here is ∼10−4 μm−1, which is almost 100 times larger than that of the beam generated in the free-space optical circuit based on the lens. The experimental and simulated results have good consistencies. The realization of the microparticle transverse acceleration transporting with this Bessel-like beam provides a new method for microparticles to be transported in a bending trajectory. This all-fiber transverse self-accelerating Bessel-like beam generator structure is simple, with high integration and small size, and constitutes a new development for high-precision biological cell experiments and manipulations.
DOI
Optical trapping reveals propulsion forces, power generation and motility efficiency of the unicellular parasites Trypanosoma brucei brucei
Eric Stellamanns, Sravanti Uppaluri, Axel Hochstetter, Niko Heddergott, Markus Engstler & Thomas Pfohl
Unicellular parasites have developed sophisticated swimming mechanisms to survive in a wide range of environments. Cell motility of African trypanosomes, parasites responsible for fatal illness in humans and animals, is crucial both in the insect vector and the mammalian host. Using millisecond-scale imaging in a microfluidics platform along with a custom made optical trap, we are able to confine single cells to study trypanosome motility. From the trapping characteristics of the cells, we determine the propulsion force generated by cells with a single flagellum as well as of dividing trypanosomes with two fully developed flagella. Estimates of the dissipative energy and the power generation of single cells obtained from the motility patterns of the trypanosomes within the optical trap indicate that specific motility characteristics, in addition to locomotion, may be required for antibody clearance. Introducing a steerable second optical trap we could further measure the force, which is generated at the flagellar tip. Differences in the cellular structure of the trypanosomes are correlated with the trapping and motility characteristics and in consequence with their propulsion force, dissipative energy and power generation.
DOI
Unicellular parasites have developed sophisticated swimming mechanisms to survive in a wide range of environments. Cell motility of African trypanosomes, parasites responsible for fatal illness in humans and animals, is crucial both in the insect vector and the mammalian host. Using millisecond-scale imaging in a microfluidics platform along with a custom made optical trap, we are able to confine single cells to study trypanosome motility. From the trapping characteristics of the cells, we determine the propulsion force generated by cells with a single flagellum as well as of dividing trypanosomes with two fully developed flagella. Estimates of the dissipative energy and the power generation of single cells obtained from the motility patterns of the trypanosomes within the optical trap indicate that specific motility characteristics, in addition to locomotion, may be required for antibody clearance. Introducing a steerable second optical trap we could further measure the force, which is generated at the flagellar tip. Differences in the cellular structure of the trypanosomes are correlated with the trapping and motility characteristics and in consequence with their propulsion force, dissipative energy and power generation.
DOI
Anomalous optical forces on the anisotropic Rayleigh particles
Y. X. Ni, J. K. Chen, and L. Gao
We investigate the optical forces on the radially anisotropic spheres from an incident plane wave based on our generalized full-wave scattering theory and the Maxwell stress tensor integration techniques. We demonstrate that the optical force on the Rayleigh sphere with radial anisotropy does not always obey the well-known Rayleigh’s law F~k40a6 (where k0 is the wave number and a is the radius of the sphere), but could be anomalous with the laws such as F~k00a2, F~k−20a0, and F~k80a10 under certain conditions. Therefore, the optical force on the anisotropic Rayleigh spheres is enhanced at the electric dipole resonance, and may be further increased by tuning the anisotropic parameters. On the contrary, the optical forces on the anisotropic spheres can be largely reduced for anisotropic spheres with electromagnetic transparency.
DOI
We investigate the optical forces on the radially anisotropic spheres from an incident plane wave based on our generalized full-wave scattering theory and the Maxwell stress tensor integration techniques. We demonstrate that the optical force on the Rayleigh sphere with radial anisotropy does not always obey the well-known Rayleigh’s law F~k40a6 (where k0 is the wave number and a is the radius of the sphere), but could be anomalous with the laws such as F~k00a2, F~k−20a0, and F~k80a10 under certain conditions. Therefore, the optical force on the anisotropic Rayleigh spheres is enhanced at the electric dipole resonance, and may be further increased by tuning the anisotropic parameters. On the contrary, the optical forces on the anisotropic spheres can be largely reduced for anisotropic spheres with electromagnetic transparency.
DOI
Monday, November 3, 2014
Squeezing red blood cells on an optical waveguide to monitor cell deformability during blood storage
Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia, Peter McCourt, Ana Oteiza, James S. Wilkinson, Thomas R Huser and Olav Gauta Helleso
Red blood cells squeeze through micro-capillaries as part of blood circulation in the body. The deformability of red blood cells is thus critical for blood circulation. In this work, we report a method to optically squeeze red blood cells using the evanescent field present on top of a planar waveguide chip. The optical forces from a narrow waveguide are used to squeeze red blood cells to a size comparable to the waveguide width. Optical forces and pressure distributions on the cells are numerically computed to explain the squeezing process. The proposed technique is used to quantify the loss of blood deformability that occurs during blood storage lesion. Squeezing red blood cells using waveguides is a sensitive technique and works simultaneously on several cells, making the method suitable for monitoring stored blood.
DOI
Red blood cells squeeze through micro-capillaries as part of blood circulation in the body. The deformability of red blood cells is thus critical for blood circulation. In this work, we report a method to optically squeeze red blood cells using the evanescent field present on top of a planar waveguide chip. The optical forces from a narrow waveguide are used to squeeze red blood cells to a size comparable to the waveguide width. Optical forces and pressure distributions on the cells are numerically computed to explain the squeezing process. The proposed technique is used to quantify the loss of blood deformability that occurs during blood storage lesion. Squeezing red blood cells using waveguides is a sensitive technique and works simultaneously on several cells, making the method suitable for monitoring stored blood.
DOI
Separation of blood cells with differing deformability using deterministic lateral displacement
David Holmes, Graeme Whyte, Joe Bailey, Nuria Vergara-Irigaray, Andrew Ekpenyong, Jochen Guck and Tom Duke
Determining cell mechanical properties is increasingly recognized as a marker-free way to characterize and separate biological cells. This emerging realization has led to the development of a plethora of appropriate measurement techniques. Here, we use a fairly novel approach, deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), to separate blood cells based on their mechanical phenotype with high throughput. Human red blood cells were treated chemically to alter their membrane deformability and the effect of this alteration on the hydrodynamic behaviour of the cells in a DLD device was investigated. Cells of defined stiffness (glutaraldehyde cross-linked erythrocytes) were used to test the performance of the DLD device across a range of cell stiffness and applied shear rates. Optical stretching was used as an independent method for quantifying the variation in stiffness of the cells. Lateral displacement of cells flowing within the device, and their subsequent exit position from the device were shown to correlate with cell stiffness. Data showing how the isolation of leucocytes from whole blood varies with applied shear rate are also presented. The ability to sort leucocyte sub-populations (T-lymphocytes and neutrophils), based on a combination of cell size and deformability, demonstrates the potential for using DLD devices to perform continuous fractionation and/or enrichment of leucocyte sub-populations from whole blood.
DOI
Determining cell mechanical properties is increasingly recognized as a marker-free way to characterize and separate biological cells. This emerging realization has led to the development of a plethora of appropriate measurement techniques. Here, we use a fairly novel approach, deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), to separate blood cells based on their mechanical phenotype with high throughput. Human red blood cells were treated chemically to alter their membrane deformability and the effect of this alteration on the hydrodynamic behaviour of the cells in a DLD device was investigated. Cells of defined stiffness (glutaraldehyde cross-linked erythrocytes) were used to test the performance of the DLD device across a range of cell stiffness and applied shear rates. Optical stretching was used as an independent method for quantifying the variation in stiffness of the cells. Lateral displacement of cells flowing within the device, and their subsequent exit position from the device were shown to correlate with cell stiffness. Data showing how the isolation of leucocytes from whole blood varies with applied shear rate are also presented. The ability to sort leucocyte sub-populations (T-lymphocytes and neutrophils), based on a combination of cell size and deformability, demonstrates the potential for using DLD devices to perform continuous fractionation and/or enrichment of leucocyte sub-populations from whole blood.
DOI
Microscale mapping of oscillatory flows
Spas Nedev, S. Carretero-Palacios, S. R. Kirchner, F. Jäckel and J. Feldmann
We present an optofluidic method that allows the two-dimensional vectorial near-field mapping of oscillatory flows with micron-scale resolution. An oscillatory flow created by a microsource (an optically trapped silica particle set to oscillate in a dipole-type mode) is detected by another twin silica particle independently trapped and located in the vicinity of the source. Fourier analysis of the motion of the detecting particle at different points in space and time renders the vectorial velocity map around the oscillating microsphere. The method introduced here paves the way for in-situ characterization of fast mixing microscale devices and for new detection methods able to provide location and recognition (due to the field pattern) of moving sources that may be applied to both artificial and living microobjects, including macromolecules, cells, and microorganisms.
DOI
We present an optofluidic method that allows the two-dimensional vectorial near-field mapping of oscillatory flows with micron-scale resolution. An oscillatory flow created by a microsource (an optically trapped silica particle set to oscillate in a dipole-type mode) is detected by another twin silica particle independently trapped and located in the vicinity of the source. Fourier analysis of the motion of the detecting particle at different points in space and time renders the vectorial velocity map around the oscillating microsphere. The method introduced here paves the way for in-situ characterization of fast mixing microscale devices and for new detection methods able to provide location and recognition (due to the field pattern) of moving sources that may be applied to both artificial and living microobjects, including macromolecules, cells, and microorganisms.
DOI
Tailoring azimuthal optical force on lossy chiral particles in Bessel beams
Huajin Chen, Neng Wang, Wanli Lu, Shiyang Liu, and Zhifang Lin
Based on the Mie scattering theory and Maxwell stress tensor method, we investigate the transverse optical force (TOF) acting on chiral particles illuminated by a zero-order Bessel beam. It is demonstrated that the particle chirality can induce an azimuthal optical force (AOF), resulting in orbital motion of particles around the optical beam axis. The AOF depends strongly on particle loss as well as the handedness of chirality, with its amplitude capable of changing by over an order of magnitude by particle's chiral loss. The other component of TOF, the radial optical force (ROF), is much less sensitive to the magnitude and handedness of the particle chirality as well as the loss when the chirality is small. Analytical result based on dipole approximation reveals that the AOF arises from the direct coupling of particle chirality to both the spin angular momentum (SAM) and optical vorticity (curl of Poynting vector), exhibiting a conversion of optical SAM of an incident beam to mechanical orbital angular momentum of an illuminated particle. Differently, the ROF originates from the transverse gradient force. In addition, particle chirality yields a negative contribution to the gradient force; thus the ROF can be attenuated and even reversed in direction when particle chirality is sufficiently large. These characteristics of TOF might find applications in chirality detection as well as sorting chiral particles of different handedness and separating them from conventional ones.
DOI
Based on the Mie scattering theory and Maxwell stress tensor method, we investigate the transverse optical force (TOF) acting on chiral particles illuminated by a zero-order Bessel beam. It is demonstrated that the particle chirality can induce an azimuthal optical force (AOF), resulting in orbital motion of particles around the optical beam axis. The AOF depends strongly on particle loss as well as the handedness of chirality, with its amplitude capable of changing by over an order of magnitude by particle's chiral loss. The other component of TOF, the radial optical force (ROF), is much less sensitive to the magnitude and handedness of the particle chirality as well as the loss when the chirality is small. Analytical result based on dipole approximation reveals that the AOF arises from the direct coupling of particle chirality to both the spin angular momentum (SAM) and optical vorticity (curl of Poynting vector), exhibiting a conversion of optical SAM of an incident beam to mechanical orbital angular momentum of an illuminated particle. Differently, the ROF originates from the transverse gradient force. In addition, particle chirality yields a negative contribution to the gradient force; thus the ROF can be attenuated and even reversed in direction when particle chirality is sufficiently large. These characteristics of TOF might find applications in chirality detection as well as sorting chiral particles of different handedness and separating them from conventional ones.
DOI
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Direct Measurement of the Cortical Tension during the Growth of Membrane Blebs
Julia Peukes, Timo Betz
Mechanics is at the heart of many cellular processes and its importance has received considerable attention during the last two decades. In particular, the tension of cell membranes, and more specifically of the cell cortex, is a key parameter that determines the mechanical behavior of the cell periphery. However, the measurement of tension remains challenging due to its dynamic nature. Here we show that a noninvasive interferometric technique can reveal time-resolved effective tension measurements by a high-accuracy determination of edge fluctuations in expanding cell blebs of filamin-deficient melanoma cells. The introduced technique shows that the bleb tension is ∼10–100 pN/μm and increases during bleb growth. Our results directly confirm that the subsequent stop of bleb growth is induced by an increase of measured tension, possibly mediated by the repolymerized actin cytoskeleton.
DOI
Mechanics is at the heart of many cellular processes and its importance has received considerable attention during the last two decades. In particular, the tension of cell membranes, and more specifically of the cell cortex, is a key parameter that determines the mechanical behavior of the cell periphery. However, the measurement of tension remains challenging due to its dynamic nature. Here we show that a noninvasive interferometric technique can reveal time-resolved effective tension measurements by a high-accuracy determination of edge fluctuations in expanding cell blebs of filamin-deficient melanoma cells. The introduced technique shows that the bleb tension is ∼10–100 pN/μm and increases during bleb growth. Our results directly confirm that the subsequent stop of bleb growth is induced by an increase of measured tension, possibly mediated by the repolymerized actin cytoskeleton.
DOI
Optical manipulation of biological particles using LP21 mode in fiber
Shijie Chen, He Huang, Hongmei Zou, Qing Li, Jian Fu, Feng Lin and X Wu
We demonstrate the optical manipulation of biological particles using a low-order LP21 fiber mode. The focused four-lobed LP21 mode distribution was theoretically and experimentally found to be effective in optical tweezer applications, including selective cellular pick-up, pairing, grouping or separation, as well as rotation of cell dimers and clusters. Our proposed theoretical model estimates both the translational dragging force and rotational torque in good accordance with experimental data. With a simple all-fiber configuration, and low peak irradiation to target bioparticles, the proposed LP21 'optical chuck' system has great application potential in biological test systems.
DOI
We demonstrate the optical manipulation of biological particles using a low-order LP21 fiber mode. The focused four-lobed LP21 mode distribution was theoretically and experimentally found to be effective in optical tweezer applications, including selective cellular pick-up, pairing, grouping or separation, as well as rotation of cell dimers and clusters. Our proposed theoretical model estimates both the translational dragging force and rotational torque in good accordance with experimental data. With a simple all-fiber configuration, and low peak irradiation to target bioparticles, the proposed LP21 'optical chuck' system has great application potential in biological test systems.
DOI
Radiation forces on Rayleigh particles using a focused anomalous vortex beam under paraxial approximation
Dongjie Zhang, Yuanjie Yang
The radiation forces of focused anomalous vortex beams acting upon a Rayleigh dielectric sphere are studied theoretically and numerically, based on the Rayleigh scattering theory, within the framework of paraxial approximation. It is shown that a focused anomalous vortex beam with a suitable mode order and topological charge can be used to trap and manipulate a dielectric sphere whose refractive index is smaller or bigger than the ambient one at the focal point. The influences of the topological charges and the beam orders on the radiation force are also discussed. Furthermore, the stability conditions for effective trapping the Rayleigh particles are analyzed.
DOI
The radiation forces of focused anomalous vortex beams acting upon a Rayleigh dielectric sphere are studied theoretically and numerically, based on the Rayleigh scattering theory, within the framework of paraxial approximation. It is shown that a focused anomalous vortex beam with a suitable mode order and topological charge can be used to trap and manipulate a dielectric sphere whose refractive index is smaller or bigger than the ambient one at the focal point. The influences of the topological charges and the beam orders on the radiation force are also discussed. Furthermore, the stability conditions for effective trapping the Rayleigh particles are analyzed.
DOI
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