The Science
Harness the power of light to measure the mechanical properties of complex fluids with unprecedented precision and minimal sample disturbance.
The Foundation
Optical tweezers use a tightly focused laser beam to create a three-dimensional optical trap. When light passes through a microscopic bead, the gradient in light intensity creates forces that pull the bead toward the focal point.
This Nobel Prize-winning technology (Arthur Ashkin, 2018) allows us to hold and manipulate microscopic objects with piconewton precision—all without any physical contact with the sample.
Non-invasive measurement that doesn't disturb delicate sample structures like gels, emulsions, or biological materials.
The Method
Understanding the principles behind our precision measurements.
A highly focused laser beam creates a gradient force that can trap and hold microscopic particles in three dimensions. This allows precise positioning and manipulation of probe beads within your sample.
By analyzing the thermal fluctuations of trapped beads, we extract information about the local viscosity and viscoelastic properties of the surrounding medium with exceptional sensitivity.
Beyond passive observation, we can actively oscillate trapped beads at controlled frequencies to directly measure the frequency-dependent viscoelastic response (G' and G").
Sophisticated algorithms process position data in real-time, applying the generalized Stokes-Einstein relation and other models to compute rheological parameters.
Results You Can Trust
Our optical tweezers platform provides complete viscoelastic characterization of your samples. From simple Newtonian fluids to complex structured materials, get the data you need.
See why optical tweezers microrheology is the next generation of rheological measurement.
Where optical tweezers reveal the mechanical properties of a sample, Raman spectroscopy reveals its molecular structure. The Finder 930 analyzes inelastically scattered light to produce a unique “molecular fingerprint” — enabling non-destructive identification, stress and crystal-orientation analysis, and sub-micron chemical mapping.
Explore the Finder 930 Raman platform