Optical Tweezers with Integrated Multiplane Microscopy (OpTIMuM): a new tool for 3D microrheology

Matheson, Andrew B.; Paterson, Lynn; Wright, Amanda J.; Mendonca, Tania; Tassieri, Manlio; Dalgarno, Paul A.

Abstract

We introduce a novel 3D microrheology system that combines for the first time Optical Tweezers with Integrated Multiplane Microscopy (OpTIMuM). The system allows the 3D tracking of an optically trapped bead, with ~ 20 nm accuracy along the optical axis. This is achieved without the need for a high precision z-stage, separate calibration sample, nor a priori knowledge of either the bead size or the optical properties of the suspending medium. Instead, we have developed a simple yet effective in situ spatial calibration method using image sharpness and exploiting the fact we image at multiple planes simultaneously. These features make OpTIMuM an ideal system for microrheology measurements, and we corroborate the effectiveness of this novel microrheology tool by measuring the viscosity of water in three dimensions, simultaneously.

Citation

Matheson, A. B., Paterson, L., Wright, A. J., Mendonca, T., Tassieri, M., & Dalgarno, P. A. (2021). Optical Tweezers with Integrated Multiplane Microscopy (OpTIMuM): a new tool for 3D microrheology. Scientific Reports, 11, Article 5614. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85013-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 10, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 10, 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2021
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Article Number: 5614
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85013-y
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5414821
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85013-y