Micro and Nanofluidic Transport Using Advanced Photonic Devices Available to Purchase

A number of emerging "optofluidic[1]" technologies exploit the exploitation of the high optical intensities and field gradients present in nanophotonic and optoelectronic devices to accomplish tunable particle trapping and ultrafine propulsion. While well developed theory for exists for freespace optical transport techniques (e.g. optical tweezing), there exists a considerable lack of fundamental understanding of the coupling of the electromagnetic fields and fluid/transport dynamics within these nano-environment. In this work we will present our recent theoretical, experimental and numerical work geared towards developing a better understanding and exploitation of these systems.