Abstract: A device comprising a base and a support structure is disclosed. The base includes a vial receptacle for holding a vial. The support structure is coupled to an upper portion of the base and is configured to align a pipette comprising a pipette tip vertically over the vial receptacle. The support structure is configured to support a pipette such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned one or more predetermined depths within a vial in the vial receptacle.

Abstract: A method and system for generating modulated optical vortices. Optical vortices can be used for a variety of applications, such as applying controlled torque or controlled force patterns to objects from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size. Numerous optical modes of optical vortices can be created to meet virtually any desired need in manipulating of objects. Furthermore, one can modify the wavefront of a beam of light in a specific way to create a new type of optical trap useful for manipulating mesoscopic materials. When the modified beam is brought to a focus, the resulting optical trap exerts forces transverse to the optical axis that can be used to transport mesoscopic matter such as nanoclusters, colloidal particles, and biological cells.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and system for generating modulated optical vortices. Optical vortices can be used for a variety of applications, such as applying controlled torque or controlled force patterns to objects from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size. Numerous optical modes of optical vortices can be created to meet virtually any desired need in manipulating of objects. Furthermore, one can modify the wavefront of a beam of light in a specific way to create a new type of optical trap useful for manipulating mesoscopic materials. When the modified beam is brought to a focus, the resulting optical trap exerts forces transverse to the optical axis that can be used to transport mesoscopic matter such as nanoclusters, colloidal particles, and biological cells.