Passive torque wrench and angular position detection using a single-beam optical trap. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The recent advent of angular optical trapping techniques has allowed for rotational control and direct torque measurement on biological substrates. Here we present a method that increases the versatility and flexibility of these techniques. We demonstrate that a single beam with a rapidly rotating linear polarization can be utilized to apply a constant controllable torque to a trapped particle without active feedback, while simultaneously measuring the particle angular position. In addition, this device can rapidly switch between a torque wrench and an angular trap. These features should make possible torsional measurements across a wide range of biological systems.

publication date

  • September 1, 2010

Research

keywords

  • Optical Tweezers

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2989603

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 77956328121

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1364/OL.35.002949

PubMed ID

  • 20808379

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 35

issue

  • 17