@article {18734,
	title = {Algorithms for on-line monitoring of micro spheres in an optical tweezers-based assembly cell},
	journal = {Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering},
	volume = {7},
	year = {2007},
	month = {2007///},
	pages = {330 - 330},
	abstract = {Optical tweezers have emerged as a powerful tool for microand nanomanipulation. Using optical tweezers to perform auto-
mated assembly requires on-line monitoring of components in the
assembly workspace. This paper presents algorithms for estimat-
ing positions and orientations of microscale and nanoscale com-
ponents in the 3-Dimensional assembly workspace. Algorithms
presented in this paper use images obtained by optical section
microscopy. The images are first segmented to locate areas of in-
terest and then image gradient information from the areas of in-
terest is used to generate probable locations and orientations of
components in the XY-plane. Finally, signature curves are com-
puted and utilized to obtain component locations and orienta-
tions in 3-D space. We have tested these algorithms with silica
micro-spheres as well as metallic nanowires. We believe that the
algorithms described in this paper will provide the foundation
for realizing automated assembly operations in optical tweezers-
based assembly cells.
},
	author = {Peng,T. and Balijepalli,A. and Gupta,S.K. and LeBrun,T.}
}
