Open AccessFiber based optical trapping of aerosols
Author(s) -
Daniel Rudd,
Carlos López-Mariscal,
Michael D. Summers,
Arianne Shahvisi,
Julio C. Gutiérrez-Vega,
David McGloin
Publication year - 2008
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.16.014550
Subject(s) - trapping , multi mode optical fiber , optical fiber , fiber , optics , materials science , optical tweezers , physics , composite material , ecology , biology
We present the use of optical fibers to form a counter-propagating optical trap as a means of manipulating both solid and liquid aerosols. We explore the use of single and multimode fibers to achieve trapping of various particles in air, present the trapping properties of the different fiber types and compare the observed trends to those predicted by theory. Using fibers, we are able to hold suspended particles for extended periods of time and to precisely manipulate them over distances of several hundred microns. We discuss the difficulties and advantages of each fiber configuration and conclude with a demonstration that fiber based trapping offers a good candidate for studying optical binding in air.