Brownian particle in an optical potential of the washboard type.
Experimental observations of the fluctuation-driven net transport of silica microspheres are presented in a two-dimensional optical potential of circular symmetry created by a Bessel light beam. The optical field is tailored to break symmetry and create a static tilted periodic (washboard) potential. As the tilt of potential exceeds a threshold, a transition between locked and running modes is observed. The running mode manifests itself by the rapid accumulation of particles at the beam center.
Tatarkova
Svetlana A
SA
School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland. sat3@st-andrew.ac.uk
Sibbett
Wilson
W
Dholakia
Kishan
K
D001692:Biological Transport; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004058:Diffusion; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical