Novel Optical Methods for Self-Assembled Nanostructures (NOMSAN)

Novel Optical Methods for Self-Assembled Nanostructures (NOMSAN)

Abstract

Optical tweezers offer an exciting non-invasive method for manipulating micron-sized particles with very high precision. The current proposal seeks to significantly enhance the optical toolkit and enable researchers the ability to assemble and study large arrays of tweezed particles in pre-described geometries, especially looking at creating sub-micron (nano) structures. The methodology will build upon the established expertise of both St Andrews and Barcelona on using novel light beam geometries and optical holography and diffractive optic technology to realise this end goal. We will tailor the light beam geometries to realise extended three-dimensional crystalline arrays of particles that will serve as testbeds for studying the generation of photonic bandgap crystals and other systems. We will investigate theoretically and experimentally the photonic crystal properties of the three-dimensional microstructures and nanostructures fabricated. We will also investigate the simultaneous shaping of the light beams into the desired distributions and its all-optical frequency-conversion in nonlinear crystals, with the aim to generate complex three-dimensional structures by wavelength-optimized photopolymerization of suitable materials. Additionally we will develop arrays of particles for enhanced bio-engineering studies: organ and tissue growth on systems can be implemented using this technology.

List of Partners

  • Dr. Kishan Dholakia (Project Leader)
    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom

  • Professor Lluis Torner (Principal Investigator)
    Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona, Spain

Participating European Agencies