Open AccessPerfect lens makes a perfect trap
Author(s) -
Zhigang Lu,
Janusz Murakowski,
Christopher A. Schuetz,
Shouyuan Shi,
Garrett J. Schneider,
Jesse P. Samluk,
Dennis W. Prather
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.002228
Subject(s) - lens (geology) , physics , optics , optical tweezers , tweezers , superlens , translation (biology) , electromagnetic radiation , electrostatic lens , trap (plumbing) , beam (structure) , metamaterial , biochemistry , chemistry , messenger rna , meteorology , gene
In this work, we present for the first time a new and realistic application of the "perfect lens", namely, electromagnetic traps (or tweezers). We combined two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers, and experimentally demonstrated the very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens. Electromagnetic trapping was demonstrated using polystyrene particles in suspension, and subsequent to being trapped to a single point, they were then accurately manipulated over a large distance by simple movement of a 3DNRFL-imaged microwave monopole source.