Open AccessMarangoni force-driven manipulation of photothermally-induced microbubbles
Author(s) -
J. G. Ortega-Mendoza,
J. A. Sarabia-Alonso,
P. Zaca-Morán,
Alfonso Padilla-Vivanco,
C. Toxqui-Quitl,
I. Cambero,
J. Ramírez-Ramírez,
S. A. Torres-Hurtado,
R. Ramos-Garcı́a
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.006653
Subject(s) - marangoni effect , materials science , microbubbles , optics , optical force , optical fiber , optical tweezers , acoustic radiation force , bubble , surface tension , laser , mechanics , physics , acoustics , quantum mechanics , ultrasound
The generation and manipulation of microbubbles by means of temperature gradients induced by low power laser radiation is presented. A laser beam (λ = 1064 nm) is divided into two equal parts and coupled to two multimode optical fibers. The opposite ends of each fiber are aligned and separated a distance D within an ethanol solution. Previously, silver nanoparticles were photo deposited on the optical fibers ends. Light absorption at the nanoparticles produces a thermal gradient capable of generating a microbubble at the optical fibers end in non-absorbent liquids. The theoretical and experimental studies carried out showed that by switching the thermal gradients, it is possible to generate forces in opposite directions, causing the migration of microbubbles from one fiber optic tip to another. Marangoni force induced by surface tension gradients in the bubble wall is the driving force behind the manipulation of microbubbles. We estimated a maximum Marangoni force of 400nN for a microbubble with a radius of 110 μm.