Patent ID: 6847032
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: F04B,G02B,G03H,H05H

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring a particle, comprising the steps of: providing a first beam of laser light; forming a plurality of additional beams of laser light from the first beam of laser light; establishing an optical trap for at least two of the additional beams of laser light, each said optical trap associated with a single one of the additional beams of laser light; providing a plurality of manifolds over a time sequence, each of the plurality of manifolds comprising at least one optical trap with each of the plurality of manifolds spaced apart in the time sequence; and sequentially illuminating and extinguishing over the time sequence each of the manifolds, enabling the capture and transfer of the particle from one of the manifolds to another of the manifolds, wherein the capture and transfer of the particle causes the particle to be transported by the plurality of manifolds.