Axicon applications and references
    Axicons (doc 
    - pdf)
    Hollow Beam 
    Atom Tunnel by Yonho Song
    Long, Narrow All-light Atom Guide
    High-resolution Optical 
    Coherence Tomography Over a Large Depth Range with an Axicon Lens
    by Zhihua Ding et al.
    A Ring-shaped Laser Trap Based on 
    Axicons by Bing Shao
    Dynamically 
    Adjustable Annular Laser Trapping for Sperm Chemotaxis Study by Bing 
    Shao et al.
    Imaging Properties of Axicon in a 
    Scanning Optical System
    (Axicon based) Resonators Supporting Bessel 
    Beams 
    Optical 
    Micromanipulation Using a Bessel Light Beam
    Simultaneous 
    Micromanipulation in Multiple Planes Using a Self-reconstructing Light Beam
    Optical Dipole 
    Traps and Atomic Waveguides Based on Bessel Light Beams
    Parameter 
    Optimization for Vacuum Laser Acceleration at ATF/BNL
    Photorefractive 
    Keratectomy for Hyperopia Using an Erodible Disc and Axicon Lens: 2-Years 
    results - Axicon stock -
    featured applications
Standard axicons available from our online store:
 
| AX-FS-1-178-3 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 1", cone angle 178°, BBAR 800&1064 nm | $350.00 | 
    
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| AX-FS-1-179.5-0 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 1", cone angle 179.5°, uncoated | $290.00 | 
    
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| AX-FS-1-179-4 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 1", cone angle 179°, BBAR 1100-1600 nm | $350.00 | 
    
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| AX-FS-1-179-2 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 1", cone angle 179°, BBAR 700-1000 nm | $350.00 | 
    
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| AX-FS-1-179-3 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 1", cone angle 179°, BBAR 800&1064 nm | $350.00 | 
    
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| AX-FS-2-140-2 | Axicon, UV FS, diam. 2", cone angle 140°, BBAR 700-1000 nm | $700.00 | 
    
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Laser trapping has been widely applied for the confinement and physiological 
study of biological cells [1-2] and organelles [3]. In mammal fertility 
research, single spot laser tweezers were successfully utilized to trap 
individual sperm and quantitatively evaluate the motile force generated by a 
sperm [4, 5]. With the help of laser tweezers, the relationship between sperm 
motility and swimming behavior were revealed [5] and the effects of medical 
approaches on sperm activity were investigated [6, 7].
As sperm chemotaxis draws increasing interests in fertility research, the study 
on sperm-egg communication may help to explain infertility and provide new 
approaches to contraception [8]. While single spot laser trap can only be used 
to investigate one target at a time, greatly limiting the experimental 
efficiency and throughput, a ring-shaped laser trap, if feasible, could not only 
trap multiple samples at the same time, but also provide an equal-distance (from 
the center) condition, which is essential and perfect for biological tropism 
study.
Here we present a novel annular laser trap based on axicons for sperm chemotaxis 
study. Experiment with 15 micron polystyrene spheres shows the feasibility and 
performance of the system. With chemoattractant located in the center and sperms 
approaching from all directions, the annular laser trapping could serve as a 
sperm sifter for fertility sorting. When an additional pair of axicons is 
introduced into the optics, the first of which shifts along the optical axis 
back and forth, the diameter of the annular trap can be dynamically tuned from 
130 micron to 428 micron, providing a real time variation on experimental 
condition for critical power analysis. This new scheme of optical trapping will 
bring high efficiency and fresh perspective to a vast variety of bio-tropism (phototaxis, 
geotaxis, galvanotaxis, etc.) research.
A Ring-shaped Laser Trap Based on Axicons by Bing Shao
Dynamically Adjustable Annular Laser Trapping for Sperm Chemotaxis Study by Bing Shao et al.