New possibilities have emerged for producing optical beams with complex and intricate structures, and for the non-contact optical manipulation of matter. This book describes the electromagnetic theory, optical properties, methods and applications associated with this technology. It is of interest to graduate students and researchers in academia.

The technology discussed in this book allows for applications in biosensing and structural health monitoring, as well as, targeted drug delivery and in vivo (within a living organism) molecular imaging - all important to improving bioengineering and the world of medicine. Andrews, a leader in the field of nanotechnology, has assembled key researchers and scientists to create the definitive and cutting-edge treatise on the subject of structured light. This contributed volume presents the technology and phenomena of what makes these bioengineering and optoelectrical advances possible structured light and the non-contact optical manipulation of matter. It surges past mature technology and applications such as focused laser trapping and optical tweezers to optical vortices and holographic optical trapping. Opportunities abound through these optical forces and their complex fields, this book will lead the reader through all of the information to the core of the research.