An interactive optical tweezers simulation for science education

Thomas T. Perkins; Christopher V. Malley; Michael A. Dubson; Katherine K. Perkins

doi:10.1117/12.862030

27 August 2010 An interactive optical tweezers simulation for science education

Thomas T. Perkins, Christopher V. Malley, Michael A. Dubson, Katherine K. Perkins

Proceedings Volume 7762, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation VII; 776215 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862030
Event: SPIE NanoScience + Engineering, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We developed a freely available interactive simulation of optical traps and their biological applications (phet.colorado.edu). The target audience is undergraduate majors as well as more advanced researchers. The simulation has three panels: optical traps, manipulating DNA, and measuring molecular motors. Each panel has options that allow students to interactively explore key physical ideas. For instance, viscosity can be turned off to see the critical aspect of dissipation, or time can be slowed down to see the oscillating electric field and the induced charge separation. An overview of the simulation and specific exercises suitable for an undergraduate class are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas T. Perkins, Christopher V. Malley, Michael A. Dubson, and Katherine K. Perkins "An interactive optical tweezers simulation for science education", Proc. SPIE 7762, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation VII, 776215 (27 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862030

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