Optical vortex trap for resonant confinement of metal nanoparticles.
The confinement and controlled movement of metal nanoparticles and nanorods is an emergent area within optical micromanipulation. In this letter we experimentally realise a novel trapping geometry near the plasmon resonance using an annular light field possessing a helical phasefront that confines the nanoparticle to the vortex core (dark) region. We interpret our data with a theoretical framework based upon the Maxwell stress tensor formulation to elucidate the total forces upon nanometric particles near the particle plasmon resonance. Rotation of the particle due to orbital angular momentum transfer is observed. This geometry may have several advantages for advanced manipulation of metal nanoparticles.
Dienerowitz
Maria
M
SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY169SS, United Kingdom. md60@st-andrews.ac.uk
Mazilu
Michael
M
Reece
Peter J
PJ
Krauss
Thomas F
TF
Dholakia
Kishan
K
D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008027:Light; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000295:instrumentation*
D008670:Metals