title: Tracking nanoparticles in an optical microscope using caustics.
abstract: An elegant method is proposed and demonstrated for tracking the location and movement of nanoparticles in an optical microscope using the optical phenomenon of caustics. A simple and reversible adjustment to the microscope generates caustics several orders of magnitude larger than the particles. The method offers a simple and relatively inexpensive method for visualizing such phenomena as the formation of self-assembled monolayers and the interaction of nanoparticles with chemically functionalized surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Eann A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Maurice P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Whelan