Customized optical fields enable efficient sorting of multiple particles

Optical tweezers are a powerful tool for biomedical particle manipulation due to their non-contact, non-invasive, and low-damage characteristics. However, techniques capable of simultaneously sorting and autonomously transporting multiple particles with high efficiency remain scarce. To address this, we developed a novel structured light field comprising a bright circular ring and an arc. By precisely controlling the shape, intensity, phase, and gap width of each component of this field, we achieved 96.8% efficient separation of 1 μm and 1.5 μm polystyrene particles. Both theoretical calculations and experimental results validate the efficacy of our approach. Unlike methods reliant on microfluidic devices, this technique offers great flexibility and broader applicability. Our work not only introduces a versatile and efficient method for particle manipulation but also presents a promising solution for biomedical applications, particularly in drug isolation and targeted therapy.