Kaleidoscopic patterning of micro‐objects based on software‐oriented approach using dual optical tweezers with a microlens array

Dynamical and precise arrangement of micro‐objects into the specified various pattern offers great flexibility and potential as platforms for many scientific applications, especially in bio‐sensing and biomedical fields such as bio‐MEMS and Lab‐on‐a‐Chip. Multi‐beam optical tweezers are one of the most suitable tools for assembling precise dynamic arrays of micro‐objects. Herein, a dynamic patterning method based on software‐oriented approach is proposed (i.e. time‐shared scanning technique) using the dual optical tweezers with a microlens array. The proposed method can expand the patterning capability of this dual optical tweezers system to simply fabricate various quasi‐periodic structures. The work also demonstrates kaleidoscopic patterning (periodic or symmetric arrangements such as Escher's paintings) of numerous microbeads and subsequent morphing. In the demonstrations, microbeads with different properties (size and colour) as well as homogeneous microbeads are arranged dynamically into the specified patterns, including their clusters.