David P Grier, Age 43Hanover Park, IL

6416190, Jul 9, 2002

Apr 27, 2001

09/845045

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington VA

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

G02B 2700

359614, 359615, 359601

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

6624940, Sep 23, 2003

Jan 31, 2000

09/495064

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Eric R. Dufresne - Chicago IL

Arch Development Corporation - Chicago IL

G02B 2744

359566, 359 15, 359 19, 359434, 349201, 349202

An apparatus and method for manipulating small dielectric particles. The apparatus and method involves use of a diffractive optical element which receives a laser beam and forms a plurality of light beams. These light beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating small dielectric particles.

6626546, Sep 30, 2003

Jul 1, 2002

10/186807

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington VA
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

G02B 2700

359614, 359615, 359601, 359613

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

6639208, Oct 28, 2003

Jun 6, 2001

09/875812

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Sven Holger Behrens - Mannheim, DE

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

H05H 305

250251

A method of use for holographic optical traps or gradients in which repetitive cycling of a small number of appropriately designed arrays of traps are used for general and very complex manipulations of particles and volumes of matter. Material transport results from a process resembling peristaltic pumping, with the sequence of holographically-defined trapping or holding manifolds resembling the states of a physical peristaltic pump.

6737634, May 18, 2004

Jan 16, 2002

10/050213

Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL
David G. Grier - Chicago IL

The University of Chicago - Chicago IL

G01V 800

2502222, 250573

A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.

6797942, Sep 28, 2004

Sep 13, 2001

09/951117

David G. Grier - Chicago IL
Pamela T. Korda - Chicago IL

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

G01N 2163

250251, 359566, 436518

A method and apparatus for laterally deflecting and/or separating a flow of particles using a static array of optical tweezers. In an array of optical tweezers with a lattice constant larger than the size of a particle of interest, particles driven past the array by an external force experience an additional interaction with the array of traps. By altering the angle of the array of traps relative to the external force, the particles movement from trap to trap inside the array can be biased away from the direction of the external force, thereby enabling selective deflection and/or separation of particles.

6846084, Jan 25, 2005

Aug 22, 2003

10/646432

David G. Grier - Chicago IL, US
Eric R. Dufresne - Arlington MA, US
Jennifer E. Curtis - Chicago IL, US
Brian A. Koss - Chicago IL, US

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

G02B 2700

359614, 359615, 359601

A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

6847032, Jan 25, 2005

Aug 29, 2003

10/651370

David G. Grier - Chicago IL, US
Sven Holger Behrens - Mannheim, DE

University of Chicago - Chicago IL

H05H 305

250251

A method of use for holographic optical traps or gradients in which repetitive cycling of a small number of appropriately designed arrays of traps are used for general and very complex manipulations of particles and volumes of matter. Material transport results from a process resembling peristaltic pumping, with the sequence of holographically-defined trapping or holding manifolds resembling the states of a physical peristaltic pump.