Digital holographic visualization of microparticles retained by an optical spatial trap

Abstract

Abstract We propose a convenient method for generating optical traps based on a spatially structured beam. The proposed method of optical trap shaping utilizes interference of few Gaussian beams which waists, inclination angles and beam number are chosen for controllable trapping of micron-sized particles in three-dimensional space. In addition to implementing non-contact trapping, optical visualization in all planes was performed with digital holographic microscopy. This method contributes to the accurate localization of the studied specimens inside the cuvette over whole volume.