Optical trap utilizing a reflecting mirror for alignment

1. An optical trap device for trapping a particle, the device comprising:

at least one laser light source for generating first and second light beams;

first and second lenses for focusing the first and second light beams respectively to a trap region in a counter-propagating manner for trapping the particle in the trap region;

a first detector for measuring changes in a power deflection and in a power concentration of the first light beam leaving the trap region;

a second detector for measuring changes in a power deflection and in a power concentration of the second light beam leaving the trap region;

a light source for illuminating the trap region with a third beam of light; and

a camera positioned for capturing a portion of each of the first, second and third light beams;

a first optical element for directing the first light beam to the first lens, wherein at least some of the second light beam leaving the trap region passes through the first optical element, and wherein the third light beam portion passes through the first optical element;

a second optical element for directing the second light beam to the second lens, wherein the first and third light beam portions pass through the second optical element;

wherein some of the second light beam leaks through the second optical element and is reflected back toward the second optical element by a reflective optical element, and wherein the reflected light is directed by the second optical element toward the camera as the second light beam portion.

2. The optical trap device of claim 1 , wherein the first and third light beam portions captured by the camera have passed through the trap region, and wherein the second light beam portion captured by the camera has not passed through the trap region.

3. The optical trap device of claim 2 , further comprising:

a third lens for focusing the second light beam portion onto the camera such the second light beam portion is focused as a point on the camera in the same manner as if the second light beam portion was originating from a focus in the trap region imaged by the first lens.

4. The optical trap device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first detector includes a first power deflection detector and a first power concentration detector; and

the second detector includes a second power deflection detector and a second power concentration detector.

5. The optical trap device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a processor for calculating a transverse force on the particle based upon the measured changes in the power deflections of the first and second light beams, and for calculating a longitudinal force on the particle based upon the measured changes in the power concentrations of the first and second light beams.

6. The optical trap device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a support member;

an optical fiber having an input end for receiving the first light beam and an output end having a generally rigid portion extending from the first support member for emitting the first light beam toward the trap region;

at least one actuator for exerting a force on the generally rigid portion such that the generally rigid portion pivots about a pivot point of the optical fiber at the support member.

7. The optical trap device of claim 6 , further comprising:

a beam splitting optical element for reflecting a portion of the first light beam emitted by the optical fiber to a position sensitive detector, wherein the position sensitive detector measures a position of the emitted first light beam and generates a position signal in response to the measured position;

an actuator driver that provides a drive signal to the at least one actuator for exerting the force, wherein the actuator driver receives the position signal and adjusts the drive signal in response to the received position signal.

8. An optical trap device for trapping a particle, the device comprising:

at least one laser light source for generating first and second light beams;

first and second lenses for focusing the first and second light beams respectively to a trap region in a counter-propagating manner for trapping the particle in the trap region;

a first detector for measuring changes in a power deflection and in a power concentration of the first light beam leaving the trap region;

a second detector for measuring changes in a power deflection and in a power concentration of the second light beam leaving the trap region;

a support member;

an optical fiber having an input end for receiving the first light beam and an output end having a generally rigid portion extending from the first support member for emitting the first light beam toward the trap region;

at least one actuator for exerting a force on the generally rigid portion such that the generally rigid portion pivots about a pivot point of the optical fiber at the support member;

a beam splitting optical element for reflecting a portion of the first light beam emitted by the optical fiber to a position sensitive detector, wherein the position sensitive detector measures a position of the emitted first light beam and generates a position signal in response to the measured position; and

an actuator driver that provides a drive signal to the at least one actuator for exerting the force, wherein the actuator driver receives the position signal and adjusts the drive signal in response to the received position signal;

a light source for illuminating the trap region with a third beam of light; and

a camera positioned for capturing a portion of each of the first, second and third light beams;

a first optical element for directing the first light beam to the first lens, wherein at least some of the second light beam leaving the trap region passes through the first optical element, and wherein the third light beam portion passes through the first optical element;

a second optical element for directing the second light beam to the second lens, wherein the first and third light beam portions pass through the second optical element;

wherein some of the second light beam leaks through the second optical element and is reflected back toward the second optical element by a reflective optical element, and wherein the reflected light is directed by the second optical element toward the camera as the second light beam portion.

9. The optical trap device of claim 1 , wherein the reflective optical element is a retro-reflector.

10. The optical trap device of claim 1 , wherein the reflective optical element is a corner prism.

11. The optical trap device of claim 8 , wherein the reflective optical element is a retro-reflector.

12. The optical trap device of claim 8 , wherein the reflective optical element is a corner prism.

13. An optical trap device for trapping a particle, the device comprising:

a first light source for generating a light beam;

a lens for focusing the light beam to a trap region for trapping the particle in the trap region;

a second light source for illuminating the trap region with illumination light;

a camera positioned for capturing a portion of the light beam and a portion of the illumination light;

an optical element configured to direct the light beam to the lens, wherein some of the light beam leaks through the optical element and is reflected back toward the optical element by a reflective optical element, and wherein the reflected light is directed by the optical element toward the camera as the light beam portion.

14. The optical trap device of claim 13 , wherein the reflective optical element is a retro-reflector.

15. The optical trap device of claim 13 , wherein the reflective optical element is a corner prism.

16. The optical trap device of claim 13 , wherein the portion of the illumination light captured by the camera passes through the optical element.

17. The optical trap device of claim 13 , further comprising:

a detector for measuring changes in a power deflection and in a power concentration of the light beam leaving the trap region.