Grafting with Light!

 

With the Spatial Light Modulator in place, we can start grafting! I learned to make a diazonium salt solution that we put on the slide. When bright light goes through the sample, it triggers the molecules inside the solution to start sticking to the bottom of the slide. The red light filter dims the lamp light enough that the molecules don't graft everywhere and we can still see what is going on. Then, the laser beam shaped with the spatial light modulator comes through the microscope and illuminates the sample. The structure forms with whatever shape we put on the spatial light modulator! We've made doughnuts, stars, and rectangles for now!