'Lissajous-like' trajectories in optical tweezers

Hay, R.F., Gibson, G.M. , Simpson, S.H., Padgett, M.J. and Phillips, D.B. (2015) 'Lissajous-like' trajectories in optical tweezers. Optics Express, 23(25), pp. 31716-31727. (doi: 10.1364/OE.23.031716) (PMID:26698964)

[img]
Preview
Text
112080.pdf - Published Version

4MB

Abstract

When a microscopic particle moves through a low Reynolds number fluid, it creates a flow-field which exerts hydrodynamic forces on surrounding particles. In this work we study the ‘Lissajous-like’ trajectories of an optically trapped ‘probe’ microsphere as it is subjected to time-varying oscillatory hydrodynamic flow-fields created by a nearby moving particle (the ‘actuator’). We show a breaking of time-reversal symmetry in the motion of the probe when the driving motion of the actuator is itself time-reversal symmetric. This symmetry breaking results in a fluid-pumping effect, which arises due to the action of both a time-dependent hydrodynamic flow and a position-dependent optical restoring force, which together determine the trajectory of the probe particle. We study this situation experimentally, and show that the form of the trajectories observed is in good agreement with Stokesian dynamics simulations. Our results are related to the techniques of active micro-rheology and flow measurement, and also highlight how the mere presence of an optical trap can perturb the environment it is in place to measure.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gibson, Dr Graham and Phillips, Dr David and Hay, Miss Rebecca and Padgett, Professor Miles
Authors: Hay, R.F., Gibson, G.M., Simpson, S.H., Padgett, M.J., and Phillips, D.B.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Optics Express
Publisher:Optical Society of America
ISSN:1094-4087
ISSN (Online):1094-4087
Published Online:30 November 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Optical Society of America
First Published:First published in Optics Express 23(25):31716-31727
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.236

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
542471Optical Atomic Force MicroscopyMiles PadgettEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I007822/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY