Nano-Optical Tweezers: Methods and Applications for Trapping Single Molecules and Nanoparticles

Authors

Joshua D. Kolbow, Bethel University
Nathan C. Lindquist, Bethel University
Christopher T. Ertsgaard, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Daehan Yoo, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Sang Hyun Oh, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Optical tweezers were developed in 1970 by Arthur Ashkin as a tool for the manipulation of micron-sized particles. Ashkin's original design was then adapted for a variety of purposes, such as trapping and manipulation of biological materials[1] and the laser cooling of atoms.[2,3] More recent development has led to nano-optical tweezers, for trapping particles on the scale of only a few nanometers, and holographic tweezers, which allow for dynamic control of multiple traps in real-time. These alternatives to conventional optical tweezers have made it possible to trap single molecules and to perform a variety of studies on them. Presented here is a review of recent developments in nano-optical tweezers and their current and future applications.

Department(s)

Physics and Engineering

Publication Title

ChemPhysChem

Volume

22

Issue

14

First Page

1409

Last Page

1420

Publication Date

7-16-2021

DOI

10.1002/cphc.202100004

ISSN

14394235

E-ISSN

14397641

PubMed ID

33797179

Comments

Student author: Joshua Kolbow, Physics and Engineering

Alumni author: Christopher T. Ertsgaard, Physics and Engineering

Recommended Citation

Kolbow, Joshua D.; Lindquist, Nathan C.; Ertsgaard, Christopher T.; Yoo, Daehan; and Oh, Sang Hyun, "Nano-Optical Tweezers: Methods and Applications for Trapping Single Molecules and Nanoparticles" (2021). Physics and Engineering Faculty Publications. 2.
https://spark.bethel.edu/physics-faculty/2