Evolution of conventional optical tweezers through addition of secondary laser beam for single-molecule studies

Prerna Kabtiyal; Ariel Robbins; Elizabeth Jergens; Joshua Johnson; Carlos Castro; Jessica Winter; Michael Poirier; Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin

doi:10.1117/12.2568669

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22 August 2020 Evolution of conventional optical tweezers through addition of secondary laser beam for single-molecule studies

Prerna Kabtiyal, Ariel Robbins, Elizabeth Jergens, Joshua Johnson, Carlos Castro, Jessica Winter, Michael Poirier, Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin

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Proceedings Volume 11463, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XVII; 114631Y (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2568669
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2020, Online Only

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Abstract

Since the development of optical tweezers in 1970, it has evolved into a sophisticated tool for the measurement of molecular-scale forces for single molecules and molecular assemblies. More recently, researchers have explored expanding the capability of these tools through the addition of a third beam capable of exciting fluorescence, performing Raman scattering, and other optical probes. The combination of force and optical spectroscopies allows for uniquely powerful insight into the structure, dynamics, and fundamental mechanisms driving molecular scale chemistry and functionality. Here, we will discuss the design of a three-beam optical tweezers instrument configured to enable excitation of plasmonic resonances in hybrid constructs comprising molecular and inorganic components, with an emphasis on enabling both force and optical actuation of conformational dynamics.

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Prerna Kabtiyal, Ariel Robbins, Elizabeth Jergens, Joshua Johnson, Carlos Castro, Jessica Winter, Michael Poirier, and Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin "Evolution of conventional optical tweezers through addition of secondary laser beam for single-molecule studies", Proc. SPIE 11463, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XVII, 114631Y (22 August 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2568669

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