Full phase and amplitude control of holographic optical tweezers with high efficiency

Recently we demonstrated the applicability of a holographic method for shaping complex wavefronts to spatial light modulator (SLM) systems. Here we examine the potential of this approach for optical micromanipulation. Since the method allows one to shape both amplitude and phase of a trapping light field independently and thus provides full control over scattering and gradient forces, it extends the possibilities of commonly used holographic tweezers systems. We utilize two cascaded phase-diffractive elements which can actually be display side-by-side on a single programmable phase modulator. Theoretically the obtainable light efficiency is close to 100%, in our case the major practical limitation arises from absorption in the SLM. We present data which demonstrate the ability to create user-defined light pathways for microparticles driven by transverse radiation pressure. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.