Afterword

In this book, the history of optical trapping and manipulation of small neutral particles has been followed over the last 35 years or so, from its origin in 1970 up to the present. The scope of the subject continues to widen, encompassing more types of small particles, new phenomena, and new applications. In spite of attempts by some practitioners to treat their specialties as independent subjects, I have maintained that the subject is broader than the specialties and that each of the specialists can benefit from the knowledge of what has been achieved in other areas. After all, the basic light forces and techniques are the same, no matter how they are applied. I believe this broad applicability and the interrelationships have been amply demonstrated by the history, as recounted here….