Dynamic Holographic Assembler
Overview
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The dynamic holographic assembler (DHA), a self-contained holographic optical tweezers system,
has been developed in collaboration with the Optics group at the University of Glasgow.
Principally it acts as a new technology for the assembly of functional devices using components
from the micrometre scale to the tens of nanometres scale.
The research is focussed on developing nanotools. Some simple examples are tools constructed
from three interconnected silica microspheres and nanorods. When optically-trapped the
microspheres provide the translational and rotational control of the nanotool. The active
element of the nanotool is rigidly located on a probe specific to the structure on which it
will operate. The active element may be simply a nanorod to physically manipulate the structure
or it may be chemically or biologically active by incorporating, for example, a catalyst or an
enzyme. With full 3-dimensional control, nanotools can be used in ways not possible using other
techniques.
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Click on the image to enter the official DHA website.
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Aims of the research
The research being undertaken with the DHA follows several lines of investigation.
The following pages provide greater details:
