Two-Dimensional Cell Trapping Using Single Axicon Fiber without Physical Contact

Abstract

Chemically etched axicon fiber was proposed for two-dimensional cell trapping. We fabricated axicon micro lenses on a single-mode bare optical fiber by selective chemical etching technique. The laser beam from fiber axicon microlens was strongly focused and optical forces were sufficient to move a microorganisms and biological cells without physical contact. The apex angle of the chemically etched fiber axicon microlens was very important parameter for laser trapping. From these experimental results, it was found that our proposed method was a promising tool for the isolation of microorganisms.