Open Source Tweezing: Developing a Cost-Effective Optical Tweezing Platform - Assembly, Control Systems, and Replicability for Educational Access

Optical tweezers have become an indispensable tool in fields ranging from biology to physics to quantum computing, enabling precise manipulation of microscopic particles using a focused laser beam. However, traditional systems cost over $20,000, limiting their use to well-funded institutions and laboratories. Our goal is to reduce the system cost to under $5,000, making this technology more accessible to high schools and underfunded undergraduate programs. This lower cost would provide affordable access to advanced tools and help foster hardware skills required for a quantum-ready workforce. Our project develops a cost-effective optical tweezing system using the OpenFlexure Project's 3D-printed inverted microscope. This presentation will focus on the integration and testing of the control system for the microscope. Specifically, it will emphasize the development of a replicable stage movement via stepper motors using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms on a Raspberry Pi. Additionally, we are preparing the project for replication and scalability by creating a bill of materials (BOM), assembly manual, and user-friendly codebase, which will enable adoption by users with minimal technical expertise. Our goal is to empower educational and small research labs to replicate the system easily, fostering hands-on learning and research across diverse institutions.