Single-spot optical tweezer system from Elliot Scientific

Elliot Scientific's E3300 optical tweezer is a single spot system designed for trapping and manipulation of micron-size particles. It comprises an optical module -- containing the laser, beam steering optics and the microscope interface -- which attaches to the microscope either through an additional unit, such as an epi-fluorescence attachment, or a camera port.

The laser beam containing the trapped particle can be directed anywhere within the field of view by manually steering the conjugate optics. Alternatively, the particle can be held trapped in place and the bulk sample moved around it using the microscope XY stage. For applications involving rotation of birefringent particles, an optional polarization optic and rotation mount can be added.

Elliot's Optical Tweezer E3100 and E3200 systems have found many applications such as DNA property measurement, particle spectroscopy, and cell sorting. Until recently, optical (or laser) tweezers have been confined to specialised researchers using complex microscopes. They offer the ability to retrofit existing microscopes and bring optical tweezing into the lab at an affordable price. The company also offers the E3400 for multiple beam particle trapping and manipulation experiments.