Open AccessChiral particles in the dual-beam optical trap
Author(s) -
Oto Brzobohatý,
Roberto Ramírez Hernández,
Stephen H. Simpson,
A. Mazzulla,
G. Cipparrone,
Pavel Zemánek
Publication year - 2016
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.24.026382
Subject(s) - optical tweezers , polarization (electrochemistry) , optics , circular polarization , optical force , light beam , trapping , optical rotation , beam (structure) , physics , materials science , radial polarization , molecular physics , laser beams , laser beam quality , laser , ecology , chemistry , biology , microstrip
We investigate the dynamics of chiral microparticles in a dual-beam optical trap. The chiral particles have the structure of spherical chiral microresonators, with a reflectance deriving from the supramolecular helicoidal arrangement. Due to the strong asymmetric response of the particles to light with a specific helicity and wavelength, their trapping position and rotational frequency can be controlled by proper combination of the polarization state of the two light beams. Here symmetric and asymmetric polarization configurations of dual- interfering beam traps have been investigated. Based on the polarization controlled asymmetric transmission of the chiral particles, a tunable wash-board potential is created enabling the control of the trapping position along the beams axis. Asymmetric configurations display polarization controlled rotation of the trapped particles. Optical binding of rotating particles exhibits a complex dynamics.