| abstract |
The invention contemplates the use of optical beams, as generate photonic pressure, or radiation pressure, to perform switching of small particles that are flowing in microfluidic channels. Small particles (1), for example 5 um diameter water microspheres or cells, within and moving with, a fluid (2), normally water, that is flowing within microfluidic channels (3) within a radiation transparent substrate (4) being pushed with optical pressure forces with a laser light switching beam (5), preferably as arises from VCSELs operating in Laguerre-Gaussian mode, at branching junctions such as an 'X' in the microfluidic channels (3) so as to enter into selected downstream branches OUTPUT 1 & 2, thereby realizing switching and storing of particles (1) including parallel. |