Abstract

The ability to manipulate matter on submicron length scales has revolutionized biophysical research and fueled important scientific and technological advances in past decades. Pushing the limits to the nanometer level, however, has proven challenging. In this contribution, we will discuss a novel and elegant approach for the trapping and manipulation of single biomolecules and other particles over extended periods of time: the electrostatic corral. The feasibility of the corral trap approach will be demonstrated with experiments on micro- and nanoscale particles, with particular emphasis on the trapping of single-stranded DNA molecules.

© 2011 Optical Society of America