Single-particle analysis with 2D electro-optical trapping on an integrated optofluidic device

Mahmudur Rahman, Matthew A. Stott, Yucheng Li, Aaron R. Hawkins, and Holger Schmidt

Optical and optically assisted trapping has developed into an essential tool for studying and manipulating small objects with applications in numerous fields at the intersection of physics and the life sciences. Here, we report a waveguide-based optofluidic platform that restricts particle movement in two dimensions for full in-plane suppression of Brownian motion based on fluorescence tracking and application of an electrokinetic feedback force. Single-microbead trapping is demonstrated with confinement in two dimensions in a specially designed trapping volume. Tighter particle confinement and a 14× improvement in trap stiffness are achieved compared to 1D trapping along a fluidic channel. This paves the way for a chip-based high-throughput single-molecule analysis platform.

DOI