Combining state-of-the-art research with a strong pedagogic approach, this text provides a detailed and complete guide to the theory, practice and applications of optical tweezers. In-depth derivation of the theory of optical trapping and numerical modelling of optical forces are supported by a complete step-by-step design and construction guide for building optical tweezers, with detailed tutorials on collecting and analysing data. Also included are comprehensive reviews of optical tweezers research in fields ranging from cell biology to quantum physics. Featuring numerous exercises and problems throughout, this is an ideal self-contained learning package for advanced lecture and laboratory courses, and an invaluable guide to practitioners wanting to enter the field of optical manipulation. The text is supplemented by www.opticaltweezers.org, a forum for discussion and a source of additional material including free-to-download, customisable research-grade software (OTS) for calculation of optical forces, digital video microscopy, optical tweezers calibration and holographic optical tweezers.

'Given the vast breadth of the subject, the title of the book may sound ambitious, yet the result is compelling. The authors are recognized experts in the field and have succeeded in combining a detailed textbook and a comprehensive encyclopedia of optical tweezers in one volume. The book is written at a high professional level and can serve as the basis of a graduate lecture course. The numerous exercises and problems of varying complexity included in Parts I and II will undoubtedly prove to be very instructive, while choosing specific applications from the great selection in Part III can help the instructor tailor the lecture course to the needs of a particular research field. The book also serves as a friendly user guide to a public-domain MatLab software toolbox available at www.opticaltweezers.org and called the Optical Tweezers Software (OTS).'

Michael I. Mishchenko Source: Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

'… until this book, there was no single reference source for the person interested in the theory and use of optical tweezers. In this book, the objects being trapped are generally microscale, although one chapter covers optical trapping of atoms … The supplementary website is well-organised and in addition to the software toolboxes, contains videos of tweezer construction, geometrical raytraces of various strapping geometries and an ongoing list of errata. In conclusion, it’s about time a book like this has been issued, optical tweezers have been sufficiently incorporated in scientific research that students (and early stage researchers) need an introduction to the theory and practice on their use.'

Andrew Resnick Source: Contemporary Physics