Stroboscopic detection of multi-colloidal hydrodynamics using time-multiplexed optical tweezers

Abstract

Time-division multiplexing presents an attractive opportunity to probe multi-colloidal interactions in optical traps at short time-scales. In this paper, we demonstrate a stroboscopic system capable of arbitrary control of multiple trapped colloids with sensing at kHz rates and validate it using several simple multi-colloidal experiments. We expect this methodology will be of benefit in the study of group colloidal hydrodynamics and systems of active colloids, particularly where a temporal sensitivity beyond that of camera-based position sensing is required. In addition, our multiplexing enables calibration that is robust to environmental anomalies, shape distortions of colloids and scattering interference from other particles.