iPad光学镊子应用程序发布

Optics researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Bristol have developed an iPad application for accurate, easy and intuitive use of optical tweezers¹（光学镊子） . Optical tweezers, used to manipulate tiny particles through the use of highly focused laser beams, are the tool at the heart of much molecular² biology – helping³ us to experiment with and better understand the microscopic⁴ processes of organisms.

Research published today, Friday 4 March 2011, in IOP Publishing's Journal of Optics, shows how a team of researchers has overcome the limitations of computer mouse and joy-stick controlled systems through the design of an iPad app.

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Control of the lasers used in optical tweezers systems has often been limited by the functionality of the computer mouse or joystick, making it difficult to manipulate multi-particles in the range of directions researchers need to move particles in. #

The new multi-touch-based application allows researchers a clear representative 3D view of particle systems and offers a range of techniques, like pinching the screen or tilting⁵ the iPad, for moving single and multi-particles left and right, up and down, and to rotate them.

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To see the iPad application in action, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n__oyfPtWRA

Due to the iPad's wireless⁶ capability⁷, the app will also help with regards laser safety and avoiding experiment contamination（污染） . #

The researchers write, "Our iPad-based interface⁸ allows intuitive（直觉的） control of a holographic（全息的） optical tweezers system using a dedicated⁹ application on the iPad and a modified version of our tweezers' control software running on a host PC. #

"The interface is responsive and easy to use, so even inexperienced users can trap particles, move them around and translate the microscope stage."