Trapping of Microstructure by Laser Scanning Manipulation

The handling of fine structure objects consisting of micrometer-sized polystyrene latex particles by laser scanning manipulation technique using a single laser beam was demonstrated. Laser ablation technique was employed to fix polymer particles regularly aligned by laser trapping. Integrated structures created by the successive trapping/laser ablation procedures were shown to be held by laser beam. When the trapping laser beam was scanned along the rod structure, the structure was stably held with the swinging motion of few hundreds nanometer. The swinging motion of the structure was strongly dependent on the scanning speed(VS) of the laser beam, and swinging amplitude was reduced as VS increased. The holding ability of the microstructure was proportional to the laser power. The present method is promising as a technique for precision holding of minute structures.