Multiple optical trapping and binding: New routes to self-assembly

The impact of optical forces in the physical and biological sciences now enables the manipulation of objects ranging in size from a cell down to a single atom. The mechanical effects of optical fields have profound and far-reaching consequences, and attention is increasingly focused upon the opportunities for the non-contact assembly of particles into specific geometries. The present overview focuses on the two aspects of multi-particle trapping and optical binding. These can broadly be grouped as methods based on light-mediated inter-particle interactions, offering potential for the organization of large numbers of micro- or nano-particles using optical forces alone.