Femtosecond optoperforation of the cell wall of cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 in the presence of gold nanoparticles

Abstract

In this paper, the results of experiments on the optoperforation of cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 in the presence of gold nanoparticles are presented. The experiment consisted of the effect that focused femtosecond laser radiation (with different a exposition time and pulse energy) has on the membrane of cyanobacteria followed by the formation of a hole. The energy threshold of the optoperforation of the cell membrane was found to be smaller in the presence of gold nanoparticles. The main experimental result is that gold nanoparticles favor the optoperforation of the wall by femtosecond pulses, and submicron holes in the wall are formed. Two possible ways to activate optical perforation by gold nanoparticles are considered: the amplification of the optical field and that of the local thermal heating.