A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter

doi:10.1088/1674-1056/ae6320

中国物理B ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (7): 70502-070502.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae6320

A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter

Shutong Guo(郭姝彤)¹, Zhiqing Huang(黄芷晴)¹, Bingrui Xu(徐冰睿)², Shuailong Zhang(张帅龙)³, and H. P. Zhang(张何朋)^1,†

1 School of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Natural Sciences and MOE-LSC, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
2 Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China;
3 School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China

收稿日期:2026-03-13 修回日期:2026-04-12 接受日期:2026-04-22 发布日期:2026-07-10
通讯作者: H. P. Zhang E-mail:Hepeng_zhang@sjtu.edu.cn
基金资助:
HPZ acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12225410 and 12074243) and the China Manned Space Engineering Program (Project number: KJZ-YY-NLT0502). SZ acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 62574023) and Chongqing Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. CSTB2024NSCQ-JQX0034).

A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter

Shutong Guo(郭姝彤)¹, Zhiqing Huang(黄芷晴)¹, Bingrui Xu(徐冰睿)², Shuailong Zhang(张帅龙)³, and H. P. Zhang(张何朋)^1,†

1 School of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Natural Sciences and MOE-LSC, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
2 Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China;
3 School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China

Received:2026-03-13 Revised:2026-04-12 Accepted:2026-04-22 Published:2026-07-10
Contact: H. P. Zhang E-mail:Hepeng_zhang@sjtu.edu.cn
Supported by:
HPZ acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12225410 and 12074243) and the China Manned Space Engineering Program (Project number: KJZ-YY-NLT0502). SZ acknowledges support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 62574023) and Chongqing Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. CSTB2024NSCQ-JQX0034).

1. 2026-070502-SI.zip(20033KB)

摘要/Abstract

摘要： Active matter systems involve complex interactions between constituent particles, often mediated by physical or chemical fields, and in some cases, governed by sensing or decision-making processes. Experimentally controlling such interactions remains highly challenging, posing a major obstacle to systematic investigation. In this work, we present an optoelectronic tweezer (OET) platform that uses closed-loop feedback to program both motion and interactions in colloidal systems by dynamically patterning local electric fields with light. Operating at very low optical intensities, this approach allows rapid and precise control over dielectrophoretic forces acting on colloidal particles. We demonstrate the capabilities of this platform through the experimental realization of both a programmable active Brownian particle system and a communicating active particle system. This versatile platform bridges theoretical models of active matter and their experimental realization, enabling direct control over propulsion and interaction rules.

关键词: active matter, colloid, optoelectronic-tweezers, programmable interactions

Abstract: Active matter systems involve complex interactions between constituent particles, often mediated by physical or chemical fields, and in some cases, governed by sensing or decision-making processes. Experimentally controlling such interactions remains highly challenging, posing a major obstacle to systematic investigation. In this work, we present an optoelectronic tweezer (OET) platform that uses closed-loop feedback to program both motion and interactions in colloidal systems by dynamically patterning local electric fields with light. Operating at very low optical intensities, this approach allows rapid and precise control over dielectrophoretic forces acting on colloidal particles. We demonstrate the capabilities of this platform through the experimental realization of both a programmable active Brownian particle system and a communicating active particle system. This versatile platform bridges theoretical models of active matter and their experimental realization, enabling direct control over propulsion and interaction rules.

Key words: active matter, colloid, optoelectronic-tweezers, programmable interactions

中图分类号: (Self-organized systems)

05.65.+b

82.70.Dd (Colloids) 42.50.Wk (Mechanical effects of light on material media, microstructures and particles) 89.75.Fb (Structures and organization in complex systems)

Shutong Guo(郭姝彤), Zhiqing Huang(黄芷晴), Bingrui Xu(徐冰睿), Shuailong Zhang(张帅龙), and H. P. Zhang(张何朋). A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter[J]. 中国物理B, 2026, 35(7): 70502-070502.

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A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter

A feedback-controlled optoelectronic platform for programming interactions in active matter

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