Force measurement on microspheres in an optical standing wave

W. Mu*, Z. Li, L. Luan, G. C. Spalding, G. Wang, J. B. Ketterson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have measured the optical forces on isolated particles trapped in an optical lattice generated by the interference of two coherent laser beams. Two independent methods are employed here that are based on the equipartition theorem and hydrodynamic drag. The optical force on a particle in an optical lattice depends strongly on the ratio of the particle diameter to the period of the lattice. Based on the observed size dependence, we developed an approach that allows tunable, size-dependent force selection of a subset of particles from an ensemble containing mixed particles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)763-767
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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