Abstract
Miniaturization and integration of optical tweezers are attractive. Optical fiber-based trapping systems allow optical traps to be realized in miniature systems, but the optical traps in these systems lack reliability or mobility. Here, we present the all-fiber modular optical tweezers (AFMOTs), in which an optical trap can be reliably created and freely moved on a sample substrate. Two inclined optical fibers are permanently fixed to a common board, rendering a modular system where fiber alignments are maintained over months. The freely movable optical trap allows particles to be trapped in their native locations. As a demonstration, we applied AFMOTs to trap and deform freely floating individual cells. By the cell mechanical responses, we differentiated the nontumorigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A) from its cancerous PTEN mutants (MCF10 PTEN-/-). To further expand the functionalities, three modalities of AFMOTs are demonstrated by changing the types of fibers for both the optical trap creation and particle position detection. As a miniature and modular system that creates a reliable and mobile optical trap, AFMOTs can find potential applications ranging from point-of-care diagnostics to education, as well as helping transition the optical trapping technology from the research lab to the field.
Highlights
Miniaturization and integration of optical tweezers are attractive
The modular form factor makes it straightforward to mount the all-fiber modular optical tweezers (AFMOTs) on microscopes
Combined with the simultaneous trapping and detection functions based on optical fibers, the AFMOTs have significantly improved robustness and reliability, but provide great potential for the optical trapping technology to be used outside a lab in a push-button system
Summary
Miniaturization and integration of optical tweezers are attractive. Optical fiber-based trapping systems allow optical traps to be realized in miniature systems, but the optical traps in these systems lack reliability or mobility. We present a maintenance-free, all-fiber modular optical tweezers (AFMOTs) system that can reliably create an optical trap that is freely movable on the sample substrate. It consists of two inclined optical fibers pre-aligned and permanently fixed to a centimeter-scale common board, and the optical trap is located at the tips of the two fibers, well below the common board. The nmresolution, MHz-bandwidth position detection based on optical fibers, which was demonstrated before with a non-modular system[36], has been confirmed with the AFMOTs. Exemplifying the miniature trend of OTs development, AFMOTs can potentially bring the optical trapping technology out of research labs to benefit the masses in point-of-care applications, disease diagnosis, and education
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