The present invention, referred to as optoelectronic probe, concerns a novel apparatus and method for characterization and micromanipulation of particles or biomolecules in an
electrolyte solution. Electric fields, which include both
time constant and time-varying components, are applied to a thin insulating layer covered, lightly doped
semiconductor material. Illumination injects carriers into the insulator /
semiconductor interface to compensate the leaking minority
carrier current and maintain an inversion layer, which works as an
electrode to control the particle movements. A
particle array, or even a single
cell, can be assembled in, or moved along with the inversion layer
electrode, which is induced by illumination. Furthermore, an
impedance analyzer is utilized to characterize the trapped particles, or single
cell. The present invention has numerous uses, such as bio-chemical analysis systems, and nanosize structures
assembly for electronic or optical devices.