Patent ID: 7772543
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: B82B,B82Y,C23C,G03H,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of manipulating nanowires disposed in a liquid, comprising the steps of: providing a liquid; providing a first nanowire selected from the group consisting of a semiconductor nanowire and metal nanowire; positioning the first nanowire in the liquid; providing an input beam of light; imprinting a hologram on the beam of light to create a plurality of output optical traps arising solely from one of the input beams of light; focusing the plurality of optical traps, which comprise more than two optical traps, and which arise solely from one of the input beams of light, along a line near the first nanowire forming an extended trapping potential in three dimensions to enable trapping the nanowire and maintaining orientation of the first nanowire in three dimensions during its translation in the fluid, thereby overcoming drag forces in the liquid; and manipulating a single one of the first nanowire in three dimensions using collectively the plurality of optical traps, which comprise more than two optical traps, and arise solely from one of the input beams of light, thereby minimizing radiative damage while exerting more force on the first nanowire.