Particle manipulation via opto-thermally generated bubbles in open chip environment

Abstract

Micro-bubbles have been widely used in microfluidic systems. In this paper, we propose a micro-manipulation technique based on opto-thermally generated bubbles in open chip environment. Micro particles can be captured and moved effectively with a bubble by modulating the position of the laser spot. Analysis, simulations and experiments are involved. This technique doesn't require complicated equipment or chip, and is supposed to be applied for micro assembly, particle separation and transmission.