Patent ID: 7696473
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: G21K

Abstract:
1. A method of optical manipulation of micrometer-sized objects, the method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a pattern of a predetermined material on a surface, said pattern being formed by at least one item of said material, wherein said material is capable of sustaining surface plasmons; (b) placing a solution comprising micrometer-sized objects in contact with said surface and said pattern; (c) selecting a dimension of said at least one item forming the pattern according to a dimension of at least one object to be trapped; (d) applying at least one optical beam at a predetermined wavelength and with a predetermined incident angle (Φ) to said surface for a predetermined time interval; (e) creating surface plasmons forces at said surface; (f) selectively and individually trapping said micrometer-sized objects in the pattern in a stable way according to a polarizability of said micrometer-sized objects.