Optical manipulation of microparticles and cells on silicon nitride waveguides

TLDR

The study demonstrates optical manipulation of cells and dielectric particles on the surface of silicon nitride waveguides. Optical forces guided along silicon nitride waveguides trap and propel cells and particles, enabling manipulation on the waveguide surface. Glass particles of 2 µm diameter were propelled at 15 µm/s with 20 mW power—about 20 × more efficient than prior reports—allowing use on low‑index objects such as cells and enabling integration with other optical structures for cell‑sorting applications.

Abstract

We demonstrate the optical manipulation of cells and dielectric particles on the surface of silicon nitride waveguides. Glass particles with 2microm diameter are propelled at velocities of 15microm/s with a guided power of 20mW. This is approximately 20 times more efficient than previously reported, and permits to use this device on low refractive index objects such as cells. Red blood cells and yeast cells can be trapped on the waveguide and pushed along it by the action of optical forces. This kind of system can easily be combined with various integrated optical structures and opens the way to the development of new microsystems for cell sorting applications.