An Integrated Microscope for Laser Nanosurgery and Optical Trapping

We describe an advanced RoboLase microscope system that is comprised of laser scissors and two trapping beams; the three can be used alone or in combination in the same cell. For micro or nano-ablation the laser wavelength may be in the near UV, green, or near IR. The pulse duration of the laser may be in the nanosecond, picosecond, or femtosecond regimes. The parameters used depend upon such factors as, desired spot size, absorption properties (natural or applied), and ablation mechanisms (single photon or multiphoton). The nanoablation system is used in studies on DNA repair (with or without an absorbing chromophore present) and chromosome microsurgery. The tweezers are used to move cut or whole chromosomes as well to trap and release sperm to study swimming force. The system serves as a “user” research device and can be accessed via the Internet.