Open AccessInterference from multiple trapped colloids in an optical vortex beam
Author(s) -
Woei Ming Lee,
V. Garcés-Chávez,
Kishan Dholakia
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.14.007436
Subject(s) - optical tweezers , optics , optical vortex , physics , monochromatic color , wavefront , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , beam (structure) , gaussian beam , phase (matter) , interference (communication) , light beam , azimuth , spatial coherence , laser , channel (broadcasting) , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , engineering
Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams are important in optical micromanipulation. We show that optically trapped microparticles within a monochromatic LG beam may lead to the formation of unique intensity patterns in the far field due to multiple interference of the forward scattered light from each particle. Trapped colloids create far field interference that exhibits distinct spiral wave patterns that are directly correlated to the helicity of the LG beam. Using two trapped particles, we demonstrate the first microscopic version of a Young's slits type experiment and detect the azimuthal phase variation around the LG beam circumference. This novel technique may be implemented to study the relative phase and spatial coherence of two points in trapping light fields with arbitrary wavefronts.