Abstract
The ability to manipulate and sense biological molecules is important
in many life science domains, such as single-molecule biophysics, the
development of new drugs and cancer detection. Although the manipulation of
biological matter at the nanoscale continues to be a challenge, several types
of nanotweezers based on different technologies have recently been
demonstrated to address this challenge. In particular, photonic and plasmonic
nanotweezers are attracting a strong research effort especially because they
are efficient and stable, they offer fast response time, and avoid any direct
physical contact with the target object to be trapped, thus preventing its
disruption or damage. In this paper, we critically review photonic and
plasmonic resonant technologies for biomolecule trapping, manipulation, and
sensing at the nanoscale, with a special emphasis on hybrid photonic/plasmonic
nanodevices allowing a very strong light–matter interaction. The
state-of-the-art of competing technologies, e.g., electronic, magnetic,
acoustic and carbon nanotube-based nanotweezers, and a description of their
applications are also included.
© 2017 The Author(s)
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