Maßgeschneiderte Welle Intensity distribution of an electric wave field that applies a well-defined torque onto the quadratic target. (free to download and reprint © TU Wien) Intensity distribution of an electric wave field that applies a well-defined torque onto the quadratic target.
Atoms, molecules or even living cells can be manipulated with light beams. At TU Wien a method was developed to revolutionize such "optical tweezers". They are reminiscent of the "tractor beam" in Star Trek: special light beams can be used to manipulate molecules or small biological particles. Even viruses or cells can be captured or moved. However, these optical tweezers only work with objects in empty space or in transparent liquids. Any disturbing environment would deflect the light waves and destroy the effect. This is a problem, in particular with biological samples because they are usually embedded in a very complex environment.
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