Controlled aerosol manipulation using holographic optical tweezers

D. R. Burnham*, D. McGloin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPublished conference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate the use of holographic optical tweezers for the optical trapping and manipulation of arrays of airborne water droplets (aerosols). Making use of a phase-only spatial light modulator we present evidence of stable, interactive manipulation of both single and multiple aerosol droplets, of the order of 10 microns in diameter, and also their controlled coagulation. We discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of using a spatial light modulator for droplet manipulation including the implications of the update speed of the device (a Holoeye LC-R2500 SLM), diffraction efficiency, and droplet growth and evaporation due to laser intensity variations. We will examine the generic difficulties of trapping in air, working in the absence of inertial damping. Finally we will discuss the applications of the above work in fields such as atmospheric chemistry and microfluidic microchemical reactors whilst presenting preliminary results on fusion of two or more droplets of differing phases.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings: Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III
PublisherSPIE
Volume6326
ISBN (Print)0819464058, 9780819464057
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2006
EventOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III: SPIE Optics + Photonics - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 13 Aug 200617 Aug 2006

Conference

ConferenceOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period13/08/0617/08/06
OtherSociety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Keywords

  • Aerosols
  • Droplets
  • Holographic optical tweezers
  • Microfluidics
  • Spatial light modulators

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