Photothermal Microscopy and
Spectroscopy Webinar

Optical tweezers, the Noble-Prize-winning invention by Arthur Ashkin, are widely used for manipulating microparticles, biological cells, and molecules. While optical heating has traditionally posed challenges in optical tweezers, we have harnessed this obstacle as an opportunity. Our work has led to a new class of heat-mediated optical manipulation technologies, transcending the confines of conventional optical tweezers. These innovations provide expanded working modes, versatility in working environments, and the ability to target a diverse range of materials, all with reduced optical power requirements, minimal sample damage, and ease of use. We showcase the far-reaching applications of these advancements in fields such as cell biology, the study of collective motion in living organisms and robots, disease diagnostics, pharmaceutical safety assessments, and nanomanufacturing. Furthermore, we synergize optical manipulation with machine learning in optical spectroscopy and microscopy, unveiling biological structures and functions with unparalleled sensitivity, resolution, and speed. This convergence of technologies promises to drive scientific exploration and application to new horizons.