Optical trapping and micromanipulation with a photonic lantern-mode multiplexer

Selective generation of LP fiber modes provides light patterns useful for trapping one or multiple microparticles. Furthermore, rotation of the particles can be achieved by switching between degenerate LP modes, as well as through polarization rotation of the input light.

Our results show that emerging fiber optic devices such as photonic lanterns can provide a versatile and compact means for developing optical fiber traps.