An optical fiber optofluidic particle aspirator

A fiberized optofluidic particle trapping device based on a micro-slot fabricated in a standard single-mode optical fiber by femtosecond laser micromachining is demonstrated. While fluidic convective motions move a large number of microparticles into the slot, the optical mode propagating in the nearby optical fiber core is exploited to trap and propel the particles inside the slot, thereby facilitating their collection at one of the slot extremities. The combined effect of fluidic and optical trapping allows for the collection of particles from as far as 60 μm away from the optical trap. Application to particle and live cell trapping and propulsion is demonstrated.