Recently, it has been demonstrated that thermoviscous flows can be used for a range of fine
micromanipulations, such as moving the cytoplasm of cells and developing embryos,
intracellular rheology, and femtonewton-range force measurements. These flows, also
known as focused-light-induced cytoplasmic streaming (FLUCS), are induced by mid-
infrared laser scanning of a temperature spot through the sample. However, localized laser
scanning can inflict temperature perturbations of several Kelvins on the sample, potentially …