Laser beams are capable of holding and moving microscopic particles, a technology known as optical tweezers. This opens up many exciting possiblities for micro-scale science and engineering, with applications ranging from cell biology to microassembly. The advent of dynamic computer-controlled holograms has allowed optical tweezers to become much more sophisticated, able to manipulate multiple objects in 3d. In our group we specialise in the development of these holographic optical tweezers as a technology, in addition to their many applications.

To find out more about our work with optical tweezers, you can watch our video.

• We have produced a suite of software relating to optical tweezers, which is free to download for non-commercial use. This includes an easy-to-use OpenGL program to calculate holograms on the graphics card.
• There is also a selection of movies related to optical tweezers, including the smallest strip the willow in the world.
• For our tweezers publications, see the publications section.