Li Fuwang, Wei Jian, Qin Xiaomei, Chen Xue, Chen Dawei, Zhang Wentao, Han Jiaguang, Yuan Libo, Deng Hongchang
Photonics Research Center, School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, 541004, China.
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, 541004, China.
Microsyst Nanoeng. 2024 Sep 2;10(1):123. doi: 10.1038/s41378-024-00757-7.
Field-controlled micromanipulation represents a pivotal technique for handling microparticles, yet conventional methods often risk physical damage to targets. Here, we discovered a completely new mechanism for true noncontact manipulation through photothermal effects, called thermal-optical tweezers. We employ a laser self-assembly photothermal waveguide (PTW) for dynamic microparticle manipulation. This waveguide demonstrates superior photothermal conversion and precision control, generating a nonisothermal temperature field. The interaction of thermal convection and thermophoresis within this field creates a microfluidic potential well, enabling noncontact and nondestructive particle manipulation. By varying the path of PTWs in lithography and manipulating laser loading modes, diverse manipulation strategies, such as Z-shaped migration, periodic oscillation, and directional transport, are achievable. Our innovative noninvasive micromanipulation technology minimizes not only physical damage to target objects but also enables precise and diverse manipulation of micro entities, opening up new avenues for the photothermal control of cells and biomolecules.
场控微操纵是处理微粒的一项关键技术，但传统方法往往有对目标造成物理损伤的风险。在此，我们发现了一种全新的通过光热效应进行真正非接触操纵的机制，称为热光镊。我们采用激光自组装光热波导（PTW）进行动态微粒操纵。这种波导展现出卓越的光热转换和精确控制能力，能产生非等温温度场。该场内热对流和热泳的相互作用形成了一个微流势阱，实现了非接触且无损的粒子操纵。通过改变光刻中PTW的路径以及操纵激光加载模式，可实现多种操纵策略，如Z形迁移、周期性振荡和定向传输。我们创新的非侵入性微操纵技术不仅将对目标物体的物理损伤降至最低，还能对微观实体进行精确且多样的操纵，为细胞和生物分子的光热控制开辟了新途径。
