Nonmechanical optical manipulation of microparticle using spatial light modulator

A spatial light modulator (SLM) is introduced to an optical manipulation system. The real-time reconfigurable feature of the SLM makes it possible to perform an optical manipulation of microparticles without mechanical movements of optical parts. A liquid crystal SLM incorporated in the system forms a Fresnel zone plate (FZP). The beam spot generated by the FZP is imaged on a sample solution by reduction optics. A microparticle in the sample solution is trapped by the beam and manipulated by changing the addressing position of the FZP onto the SLM from a computer. The nonmechanical optical manipulation of microparticles is demonstrated for the first time.