Diffusion dynamics in an advanced optical trap

Svetlana Tatarkova, Kishan Dholakia

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Stochastic processes play a key role in the communications inside the cells, cell mitosis and membrane channel regulation. It has been suggested that the molecular transport mechanism can be based on rectified thermal diffusion in a Brownian ratchet. A two-dimensional optical potential of circular symmetry created by a Bessel light beam is an ideal playground to study these phenomena. This optical field can be tilted to create a periodic (washboard) potential of imperfect Brownian ratchet. The tilt variation induces a directed transport of microparticles or biomolecules across the potential barriers when biomolecules attached non-covalently to these microparticles. In the central maximum of Bessel beam particles can be guided due to radiation pressure. Our data offer a new venue for understanding of cooperative phenomena in biology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-75
Number of pages7
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume5143
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
EventNovel Optical Instrumentation for Biomedical Applications - Munich, Germany
Duration: 2003 Jun 242003 Jun 25

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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