Chiral lateral optical force near plasmonic ring induced by Laguerre–Gaussian beam

Owing to the good adjustability and the strong near-field enhancement,surface plasmons are widely used in optical force trap,thus the optical force trap can achieve excellent performance.Here,we use the Laguerre–Gaussian beam and a plasmonic gold ring to separate enantiomers by the chiral optical force.Along with the radial optical force that traps the particles,there is also a chirality-sign-sensitive lateral force arising from the optical spin angular momentum,which is caused by the interaction between optical orbit angular momentum and gold ring structure.By selecting a specific incident wavelength,the strong angular scattering and non-chiral related azimuthal optical force can be suppressed.Thus the chiral related azimuthal optical force can induce an opposite orbital rotation of the trapped particles with chirality of different sign near the gold ring.This work proposes an effective approach for catchingand separating chiral enantiomers.

Movement of a millimeter-sized oil drop pushed by optical force

We show experimentally that when an unfocused continuous wave（CW） laser beam is obliquely incident onto the surface of a millimeter-sized mineral oil drop on sucrose solution, it will exert a pushing force on the oil drop, making it move forwards along the surface of the sucrose solution. However, after a period of time, the oil drop stops moving. This can be explained as the phenomenon caused by the change of Abraham momentum, the optical gradient force, and friction together.

Theoretical analysis of optical force density distribution inside subwavelength-diameter optical fibers

We investigate the microscopic optical force density distributions respectively inside a subwavelength-diameter（SD）fiber with flat endface and inside one with oblique endface by using a finite-difference time-domain（FDTD） method.Optical force density distributions at the fiber endfaces can now be readily available. The complete knowledge of optical force density distributions not only reveal features regarding the microscopic near-field optomechanical interaction, but also provide straightforward explanations for the sideway deflections and other mechanical motions. Our results can provide a useful reference for better understanding the mechanical influence when light transports in a microscale or nanoscale structure and for developing future highly-sensitive optomechanical devices.

Optical pulling force on nanoparticle clusters with gain due to Fano-like resonance

We demonstrate that,in a simple linearly-polarized plane wave,the optical pulling forces on nanoparticle clusters with gain can be induced by the Fano-like resonance.The numerical results based on the full-wave calculation show that the optical pulling forces can be attributed to the recoil forces for the nanoparticle clusters composed of dipolar nanoparticles with three different configurations.Interestingly,the recoil forces giving rise to optical pulling forces are exactly dominated by the coupling term between the electric and magnetic dipoles excited in the nanoparticle clusters,while other higherorder terms have a negligible contribution.In addition,the optical pulling force can be tailored by modulating the Fano-like resonance via either the particle size or the gain magnitude,offering an alternative freedom degree for optical manipulations of particle clusters.

Ray-optics model for optical force and torque on a spherical metal-coated Janus microparticle

In this paper, we develop a theoretical method based on ray optics to calculate the optical force and torque on a metallo-dielectric Janus particle in an optical trap made from a tightly focused Gaussian beam. The Janus particle is a 2.8 μm diameter polystyrene sphere half-coated with gold thin film several nanometers in thickness. The calculation result shows that the focused beam will push the Janus particle away from the center of the trap,and the equilibrium position of the Janus particle, where the optical force and torque are both zero, is located in a circular orbit surrounding the laser beam axis. The theoretical results are in good agreement qualitatively and quantitatively with our experimental observation. As the ray-optics model is simple in principle, user friendly in formalism, and cost effective in terms of computation resources and time compared with other usual rigorous electromagnetics approaches, the developed theoretical method can become an invaluable tool for understanding and designing ways to control the mechanical motion of complicated microscopic particles in various optical tweezers.

Optical forces exerted on a graphene-coated dielectric particle by a focused Gaussian beam

In this paper, we derive the analytical expression for the multipole expansion coefficients of scattering and interior fields of a graphene-coated dielectric particle under the illumination of an arbitrary optical beam. By using this arbitrary beam theory, we systematically investigate the optical forces exerted on the graphene-coated particle by a focused Gaussian beam. Via tuning the chemical potential of the graphene, the optical force spectra could be modulated accordingly at resonant excitation. The hybridized whispering gallery mode of the electromagnetic field inside the graphene-coated polystyrene particle is more intensively localized than the pure polystyrene particle, which leads to a weakened morphology-dependent resonance in the optical forces. These investigations could open new perspectives for dynamic engineering of optical manipulations in optical tweezers applications.

On chip chiral and plasmonic hybrid dimer or tetramer:Generic way to reverse longitudinal and lateral optical binding forces

For both the longitudinal binding force and the lateral binding force,a generic way of controlling the mutual attraction and repulsion(usually referred to as reversal of optical binding force)between chiral and plasmonic hybrid dimers or tetramers has not been reported so far.In this paper,by using a simple plane wave and an onchip configuration,we propose a possible generic way to control the binding force for such hybrid objects in both the near-field region and the far-field region.We also investigate different inter-particle distances while varying the wavelengths of light for each inter-particle distance throughout the investigations.First of all,for the case of longitudinal binding force,we find that chiral-plasmonic hybrid dimer pairs do not exhibit any reversal of optical binding force in the near-field region nor in the far-field region when the wavelength of light is varied in an air medium.However,when the same hybrid system of nanoparticles is placed over a plasmonic substrate,a possible chip,it is possible to achieve a reversal of the longitudinal optical binding force.Later,for the case of lateral optical binding force,we investigate a setup where we place the chiral and plasmonic tetramers on a plasmonic substrate by using two chiral nanoparticles and two plasmonic nanoparticles,with the setup illuminated by a circularly polarized plane wave.By applying the left-handed and the right-handed circular polarization state of light,we also observe the near-field and the far-field reversal of lateral optical binding force for both cases.As far as we know,so far,no work has been reported in the literature on the generic way of reversing the longitudinal optical binding force and the lateral optical binding force of such hybrid objects.Such a generic way of controlling optical binding forces can have important applications in different fields of science and technology in the near future.

Optical binding forces between plasmonic nanocubes： A numerical study based on discrete-dipole approximation

Plasmonic nanocubes are ideal candidates in realizing controllable reflectance surfaces, unidirectional nanoantennas and other plasmon-associated applications. In this work, we perform full-wave calculations of the optical forces in three- dimensional gold nanocube dimers. For a fixed center-to-center separation, the rotation of the plasmonic nanocube leads to a slight shift of the plasmonic resonance wavelength and a strong change in the optical binding forces. The effective gap and the near field distribution between the two nanocubes are shown to be crucial to this force variation. We further find that the optical binding force is dominated by the scattering process while the optical forces in the wavevector direction are affected by both scattering and absorption, making the former relatively more sensitive to the rotation of （an effective gap between） the nanocubes. Our results would be useful for building all-optically controllable meta-surfaces.

Optical pulse shaper with integrated slab waveguide for arbitrary waveform generation using optical gradient force

Integrated optical pulse shaper opens up possibilities for realizing the ultra high-speed and ultra wide-band linear signal processing with compact size and low power consumption. We propose a silicon monolithic integrated optical pulse shaper using optical gradient force, which is based on the eight-path finite impulse response. A cantilever structure is fabricated in one arm of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer（MZI） to act as an amplitude modulator. The phase shift feature of waveguide is analyzed with the optical pump power, and five typical waveforms are demonstrated with the manipulation of optical force. Unlike other pulse shaper schemes based on thermo–optic effect or electro–optic effect, our scheme is based on a new degree of freedom manipulation, i.e., optical force, so no microelectrodes are required on the silicon chip,which can reduce the complexity of fabrication. Besides, the chip structure is suitable for commercial silicon on an insulator（SOI） wafer, which has a top silicon layer of about 220 nm in thickness.

A DIAGONAL SPLIT-CELL MODEL FOR THE OVERLAPPING YEE FDTD METHOD

In this paper, we present a nonorthogonal overlapping Yee method for solv- ing Maxwell＇s equations using the diagonal split-cell model. When material interface is presented, the diagonal split-cell model does not require permittivity averaging so that better accuracy can be achieved. Our numerical results on optical force computation show that the standard FDTD method converges linearly, while the proposed method achieves quadratic convergence and better accuracy.

Exact results on cavity cooling in a system of a two-level atom and a cavity field

Using the algebraic dynamical method, this paper investigates the laser cooling of a moving two-level atom coupled to a cavity field. Analytical solutions of optical forces and the cooling temperatures are obtained. Considering Rb atoms as an example, it finds that the numerical results are relevant to the recent experimental laser cooling investigations.

Nonlinear optical trapping effect with reverse saturable absorption

Nonlinear responses of nanoparticles induce enlightening phenomena in optical tweezers. With thegradual increase in optical intensity, effects from saturable absorption (SA) and reverse SA (RSA) arise insequence and thereby modulate the nonlinear properties of materials. In current nonlinear optical traps,however, the underlying physical mechanism is mainly confined within the SA regime because thresholdvalues required to excite the RSA regime are extremely high. Herein, we demonstrate, both in theory andexperiment, nonlinear optical tweezing within the RSA regime, proving that a fascinating composite trappingstate is achievable at ultrahigh intensities through an optical force reversal induced through nonlinearabsorption. Integrated results help in perfecting the nonlinear optical trapping system, thereby providingbeneficial guidance for wider applications of nonlinear optics.

Optical manipulation: from fluid to solid domains

Light carries energy and momentum,laying the physical foundation of optical manipulation that has facilitated advances in myriad scientific disciplines,ranging from biochemistry and robotics to quantum physics.Utilizing the momentum of light,optical tweezers have exemplified elegant light–matter interactions in which mechanical and optical momenta can be interchanged,whose effects are the most pronounced on micro and nano objects in fluid suspensions.In solid domains,the same momentum transfer becomes futile in the face of dramatically increased adhesion force.Effective implementation of optical manipulation should thereupon switch to the“energy”channel by involving auxiliary physical fields,which also coincides with the irresistible trend of enriching actuation mechanisms beyond sole reliance on light-momentum-based optical force.From this perspective,this review covers the developments of optical manipulation in schemes of both momentum and energy transfer,and we have correspondingly selected representative techniques to present.Theoretical analyses are provided at the beginning of this review followed by experimental embodiments,with special emphasis on the contrast between mechanisms and the practical realization of optical manipulation in fluid and solid domains.

Dielectric or plasmonic Mie object at air–liquid interface: The transferred and the traveling momenta of photon

Considering the inhomogeneous or heterogeneous background, we have demonstrated that if the background and the half-immersed object are both non-absorbing, the transferred photon momentum to the pulled object can be considered as the one of Minkowski exactly at the interface. In contrast, the presence of loss inside matter, either in the half-immersed object or in the background, causes optical pushing of the object. Our analysis suggests that for half-immersed plasmonic or lossy dielectric, the transferred momentum of photon can mathematically be modeled as the type of Minkowski and also of Abraham. However, according to a final critical analysis, the idea of Abraham momentum transfer has been rejected. Hence,an obvious question arises: whence the Abraham momentum? It is demonstrated that though the transferred momentum to a half-immersed Mie object(lossy or lossless) can better be considered as the Minkowski momentum, Lorentz force analysis suggests that the momentum of a photon traveling through the continuous background, however, can be modeled as the type of Abraham. Finally, as an interesting sidewalk, a machine learning based system has been developed to predict the time-averaged force within a very short time avoiding time-consuming full wave simulation.

A calibration method for optical trap force by use of electrokinetic phenomena

An experimental method for calibration of optical trap force upon cells by use of electrokinetic phenomena is demonstrated. An electronkinetic sample chamber system （ESCS） is designed instead of a common sample chamber and a costly automatism stage, thus the experimental setup is simpler and cheaper. Experiments indicate that the range of the trap force measured by this method is piconewton and sub-piconewton, which makes it fit for study on non-damage interaction between light and biological particles with optical tweezers especially. Since this method is relevant to particle electric charge, by applying an alternating electric field, the new method may overcome the problem of correcting drag force and allow us to measure simultaneously optical trap stiffness and particle electric charge.

Optical manipulation from the microscale to the nanoscale: fundamentals, advances and prospects

Since the invention of optical tweezers,optical manipulation has advanced significantly in scientific areas such as atomic physics,optics and biological science.Especially in the past decade,numerous optical beams and nanoscale devices have been proposed to mechanically act on nanoparticles in increasingly precise,stable and flexible ways.Both the linear and angular momenta of light can be exploited to produce optical tractor beams,tweezers and optical torque from the microscale to the nanoscale.Research on optical forces helps to reveal the nature of light–matter interactions and to resolve the fundamental aspects,which require an appropriate description of momenta and the forces on objects in matter.In this review,starting from basic theories and computational approaches,we highlight the latest optical trapping configurations and their applications in bioscience,as well as recent advances down to the nanoscale.Finally,we discuss the future prospects of nanomanipulation,which has considerable potential applications in a variety of scientific fields and everyday life.

Optical disassembly of cellular clusters by tunable ‘tug-of-war’ tweezers

Bacterial biofilms underlie many persistent infections,posing major hurdles in antibiotic treatment.Here we design and demonstrate‘tug-of-war’optical tweezers that can facilitate the assessment of cell–cell adhesion—a key contributing factor to biofilm development,thanks to the combined actions of optical scattering and gradient forces.With a customized optical landscape distinct from that of conventional tweezers,not only can such‘tug-of-war’tweezers stably trap and stretch a rod-shaped bacterium in the observing plane,but,more importantly,they can also impose a tunable lateral force that pulls apart cellular clusters without any tethering or mechanical movement.As a proof of principle,we examined a Sinorhizobium meliloti strain that forms robust biofilms and found that the strength of intercellular adhesion depends on the growth medium.This technique may herald new photonic tools for optical manipulation and biofilm study,as well as other biological applications.

Giant resonant light forces in microspherical photonics

Resonant light pressure effects can open new degrees of freedom in optical manipulation with microparticles,but they have been traditionally considered as relatively subtle effects.Using a simplified two-dimensional model of surface electromagnetic waves evanescently coupled to whispering gallery modes(WGMs)in transparent circular cavities,we show that under resonant conditions the peaks of the optical forces can approach theoretical limits imposed by the momentum conservation law on totally absorbing particles.Experimentally,we proved the existence of strong peaks of the optical forces by studying the optical propulsion of dielectric microspheres along tapered microfibers.We observed giant optical propelling velocities,0.45 mm s21 for some of the 15-20 mm polystyrene microspheres in water for guided powers limited at,43 mW.Such velocities exceed previous observations by more than an order of magnitude,thereby providing evidence for the strongly enhanced resonant optical forces.We analyzed the statistical properties of the velocity distribution function measured for slightly disordered(,1%size variations)ensembles of microspheres with mean diameters varying from 3 to 20 mm.These results demonstrate a principal possibility of optical sorting of microspheres with the positions of WGM resonances overlapped at the wavelength of the laser source.They can be used as building blocks of the lossless coupled resonator optical waveguides and various integrated optoelectronics devices.

Plasmon-assisted optical trapping and anti-trapping

The ability to manipulate small objects with focused laser beams has opened a venue for investigating dynamical phenomena relevant to both fundamental and applied science.Nanophotonic and plasmonic structures enable superior performance in optical trapping via highly confined near-fields.In this case,the interplay between the excitation field,re-scattered fields and the eigenmodes of a structure can lead to remarkable effects;one such effect,as reported here,is particle trapping by laser light in a vicinity of metal surface.Surface plasmon excitation at the metal substrate plays a key role in tailoring the optical forces acting on a nearby particle.Depending on whether the illuminating Gaussian beam is focused above or below the metal-dielectric interface,an order-of-magnitude enhancement or reduction of the trap stiffness is achieved compared with that of standard glass substrates.Furthermore,a novel plasmon-assisted anti-trapping effect(particle repulsion from the beam axis)is predicted and studied.A highly accurate particle sorting scheme based on the new anti-trapping effect is analyzed.The ability to distinguish and configure various electromagnetic channels through the developed analytical theory provides guidelines for designing auxiliary nanostructures and achieving ultimate control over mechanical motion at the microand nano-scales.

;heoretical analysis for optomechanical all-optical transistor

In this paper, we propose an on-chip all optical transistor driven by optical gradient force. The transistor consists of a single micro-ring resonator, half of which is suspended from the substrate, and a bus waveguide. The free-standing arc is bent by optical gradient force generated when the control light is coupled into the ring. The output power of the probe light is tuned continuously as the transmission spectrum red-shift due to the displacement of the free-standing arc. The transistor shows three working regions known as cutoff region, amplified region and saturate region, and the characteristic curve is tunable by changing the wavelength of the control light. Potential applications of the all optical transistor include waveform regeneration and other optical computing.