Jennifer L Curtis

US Patent:

6626546, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/186807

Inventors:

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington VA
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 2700

US Classification:

359614, 359615, 359601, 359613

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

US Patent:

6737634, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jan 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/050213

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL
David G. Grier - Chicago IL

Assignee:

The University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01V 800

US Classification:

2502222, 250573

Abstract:

A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.

US Patent:

6846084, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Aug 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/646432

Inventors:

David G. Grier - Chicago IL, US
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington MA, US
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 2700

US Classification:

359614, 359615, 359601

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

US Patent:

6858833, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

May 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847042

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US
David G. Grier - New York City NY, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01J040/14

US Classification:

250221, 250216

Abstract:

A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.

US Patent:

6995351, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Feb 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/059876

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US
David G. Grier - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

The University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01J 40/14

US Classification:

2502222, 250221

Abstract:

A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.

US Patent:

7109473, Sep 19, 2006

Filed:

Sep 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/659153

Inventors:

David G. Grier - Chicago IL, US
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01S 1/00

US Classification:

250251, 25023111, 25022711, 7351419, 359642, 350 11

Abstract:

A method and system for generating modulated optical vortices. Optical vortices can be used for a variety of applications, such as applying controlled torque or controlled force patterns to objects from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size. Numerous optical modes of optical vortices can be created to meet virtually any desired need in manipulating of objects. Furthermore, one can modify the wavefront of a beam of light in a specific way to create a new type of optical trap useful for manipulating mesoscopic materials. When the modified beam is brought to a focus, the resulting optical trap exerts forces transverse to the optical axis that can be used to transport mesoscopic matter such as nanoclusters, colloidal particles, and biological cells.

US Patent:

20080316575, Dec 25, 2008

Filed:

Jun 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/155503

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US
David G. Grier - New York City NY, US
Kosta Ladavac - Chicago IL, US
Karen Kasza - Palos Park IL, US

Assignee:

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO., - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02F 1/01
G02B 5/18
G01B 9/00

US Classification:

359279, 359566, 356521

Abstract:

A method and system for correcting aberrations in a beam of light including correcting for effects from an undiffracted portion of an input beam. The method and system includes (1) a component for providing a beam of light; (2) a component for applying a diffraction grating pattern to the beam of light to establish an optical gradient to form an optical trap; (3) component for measuring aberration in the beam of light having the applied diffraction grating pattern; (4) component for calculating a phase-shifting diffraction grating encoding the aberration; and (5) component for projecting the phase-shifting diffraction grating in conjunction with the diffraction grating pattern characteristic of the optical trap. The method and system also includes (1) providing an input beam of light; (2) applying a diffractive grating pattern to the input beam of light to establish a diffracted portion, apart from an undiffracted portion, to form at least one optical trap; (3) operating on both the diffracted portion and the undiffracted portion to bring the light to focus out of the focal plane; and (4) operating on the diffracted portion of the input beam of light (the optical trap) to modify focus of the diffracted portion relative to the undiffracted portion to bring the diffracted portion into focus in the focal plane.