Patent ID: 7428971

Claim:
A method for sorting and recovering fine particles that are responsive to optical pressure, the method comprising using an apparatus for recovering fine particles comprising a laser beam emitter that has two or more emitting apertures and a collector that has two or more chambers corresponding in number to the number of emitting apertures, emitting each laser beam from the laser beam emitter to a flow path of a gas or liquid containing fine particles that are responsive to optical pressure and a component or components that are irresponsive to optical pressure, in such a manner that the laser beam crosses the flow direction of the gas or liquid, to selectively deflect the direction of movement of only the fine particles that are responsive to optical pressure, in the direction of convergence of the laser beam, while adjusting the laser beam so as to converge inside each chamber of the collector facing each laser beam emitting aperture with the flow path interposing therebetween, thereby sorting the fine particles from the component or components that are irresponsive to optical pressure, and recovering the fine particles in the chambers of the collector.