An optical tweezer actuated, nanoaperture-grid based Optofluidic Microscope implementation method

We report a novel grid based Optofluidic Microscope (OFM) method where a closely spaced 2D grid of nanoapertures (diameter = 100 nm, separation = 2.5 mu m) provided patterned illumination. We achieved a one-to-one mapping of the light transmissions through the nanoapertures onto a high-speed CCD camera. By optically tweezing a targeted sample across the grid in a controlled fashion and recording the time varying light reception from the nanoapertures, we were able to generate high-resolution images of the sample. The achievable resolution limit of the prototype was similar to 110 nm (Sparrow's criterion) under optimal conditions. We demonstrated the technique by imaging polystyrene beads and pollen spores. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.