Experimental and numerical study of trapping of cells on a waveguide

Cells are trapped by the evanescent field of a waveguide. Cell culture media and protein sera, in which the cells are submerged, significantly influence the trapping. Optical forces on the cell membrane are found with numerical simulations (FEM). A systematic experimental and numerical study of waveguide cell trapping is reported. Waveguides made of Tantalum Pentoxide are found suitable for cell trapping. Numerical simulations based on the finite element method are employed to understand the distribution of waveguide trapping forces on the cell membrane. Physical deformation of cells on waveguide surface can be used to sort healthy and malignant cells, and it depends on how long the cells have been stored.