title: Polarization gradient: exploring an original route for optical trapping and manipulation.
abstract: We report a study of the capabilities of an optical tweezer based on polarization gradient. We use a light polarization pattern that is able to simultaneously exert forces and torques in opposite directions depending on the particle's position. It allows to perform oscillatory displacements and control the sense of rotation of several particles inside a uniformly illuminated region. Unconventional trapping of spinning particles in circularly polarized fringes has been observed, which suggests the involvement of hydrodynamic forces.
authors.affiliation: LiCryL Laboratory CNR-INFM, Excellence Centre CEMIF.CAL and Physics Department, University of Calabria,Ponte P. Bucci, Cubo 33B, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy. cipparrone@fis.unical.it
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cipparrone
authors.forename: Ibis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ricardez-Vargas
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pagliusi
authors.forename: Clementina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Provenzano
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008027:Light; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009038:Motion; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000528:radiation effects*; D052898:Optical Tweezers