Sorting of microparticles by optical landscapes generated with a spatial light modulator

The use of spatial light modulators to generate arbitrary optical field distributions has been extensively used to trap and manipulate dynamically a large number of particles. Here we show that by using phase computer generated holograms displayed on a spatial light modulator (SLM) sorting of microparticles can be achieved at relatively low power. The algorithm used for the generation of the PCGH is based on iterative Fourier transform algorithm which generate a spots array in the Fourier plane, then controlling some parameters as: the spot separation, the direction and velocity of the pattern displacement, optical sorting of micron-sized particles can be achieved.