Light-driven molecular rotational motor

Details Light-driven molecular rotational motor Light-driven molecular rotational motor

1998-04-07

2001-01-30

Berman, Jack (Department: 2881)

Radiant energy

Electrically neutral molecular or atomic beam devices and...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06180940

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rotating molecular-sized objects using light. The invention also relates to an optical micro-mixer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In biotechnology and other high tech industries, micro particle manipulation is of increasing importance. Cellular and molecular manipulation is difficult, if not impossible in certain circumstances, when using physical instruments.
It is known in the art that electromagnetic gradient forces (EMGF) can be used to trap micro particles and cause translational motion. Various techniques are also known for carrying out optical rotation of micro particles. Trapping and/or rotation of micro particles is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,190 to Inaba et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,890 to Wilson et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,710,279, 3,808,550, 4,092,535, and 4,893,886 to Ashkin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,721 to Martin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,169 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,028 to Chu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,504 to Sridharan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,976 to Misawa et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,105 to Nishimura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,745 to Finer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,382 to Sasaki et al.
In the prior art, rotation of the micro particles is not carried out using the angular momentum of light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Use of the angular momentum of light to rotate micro objects has been published by the inventor of the present application in Physical Review Letters, vol. 78, No. 14, p.2760, Apr. 7, 1997, and in Optical Engineering Reports, No. 162, p.1, June 1997. Circularly polarized light has been found to transfer angular momentum to micro particles. Control over the direction and amount of angular momentum imparted is possible.
According to the invention, there is provided a method of rotating a transparent anisotropic micro object comprising the steps of providing a container containing at least one transparent anisotropic micro object to be rotated, providing a beam of circularly polarized light, directing and controlling the beam to cause rotation of the micro object in the container.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of micro-mixing a suspension or solution, comprising the steps of providing a container containing the suspension or solution, providing at least one transparent anisotropic micro probe object in the suspension or solution, providing a beam of circularly polarized light, directing and controlling the beam to cause rotation of the micro probe object in the container to induce mixing of the suspension or solution.
The circularly polarized light beam may have both S and L, namely spin and orbital angular momentum, components. The method and apparatus can also be used for absorbing objects, however, the efficiency of transfer of the S component is greatly reduced.


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