Abstract

Optical trapping of dielectric particles by a single-beam gradient force trap was demonstrated for the first reported time. This confirms the concept of negative light pressure due to the gradient force. Trapping was observed over the entire range of particle size from 10 μm to ~25 nm in water. Use of the new trap extends the size range of macroscopic particles accessible to optical trapping and manipulation well into the Rayleigh size regime. Application of this trapping principle to atom trapping is considered.

Keywords

TrappingOptical tweezersPressure-gradient forceOptical forceTrap (plumbing)Range (aeronautics)DielectricOpticsRayleigh scatteringRadiation pressureMaterials scienceBeam (structure)Particle (ecology)Temperature gradientAtomic physicsPhysicsOptoelectronics

Affiliated Institutions

Related Publications

Publication Info

Year
1986
Type
article
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
288-288
Citations
6846
Access
Closed

External Links

Social Impact

Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions

Citation Metrics

6846
OpenAlex

Cite This

A. Ashkin, J. M. Dziedzic, J. E. Bjorkholm et al. (1986). Observation of a single-beam gradient force optical trap for dielectric particles. Optics Letters , 11 (5) , 288-288. https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.11.000288

Identifiers

DOI
10.1364/ol.11.000288