Controlled formation of optically bound matter in evanescent fields

Summers, M.D., Dear, R.D., Taylor, J.M. and Ritchie, G.A.D. (2010) Controlled formation of optically bound matter in evanescent fields. In: Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation VIII, San Diego, CA, USA, 1 Aug 2010, p. 776213. (doi: 10.1117/12.860685)

Abstract

In this paper, we detail two techniques for standing wave evanescent field optical trapping utilizing total internal reflection at a prism-water interface. Firstly, we describe an actively-locked cavity enhancement technique that generates circulating powers in excess of 10 W over an area of 150 μm x 75 μm on the prism surface using a 400 mW source, as well as providing control over the shape of the underlying transverse cavity mode. Secondly, we have combined an inverted optical tweezers with a counter-propagating evanescent wave trapping experiment, providing a useful platform for exploring light scattering interactions between small ensembles of particles. The resulting structures are compared to our theoretical model based upon Generalised Lorentz-Mie Theory.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: Proceedings of SPIE Volume 7762
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Taylor, Dr Jonathan
• Authors: Summers, M.D., Dear, R.D., Taylor, J.M., and Ritchie, G.A.D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• ISSN: 0277786X