Dimensionless parameters for the design of optical traps and laser guidance systems

Appl Opt. 2004 Jul 10;43(20):3999-4006. doi: 10.1364/ao.43.003999.

Abstract

Optical traps are routinely used for the manipulation of neutral particles. However, optical trap design is limited by the lack of an accurate theory. The generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (GLMT) solves the scattering problem for arbitrary particle size and predicts radial forces accurately. Here we show that the GLMT predicts the observed radial and axial forces in a variety of optical manipulators. We also present a dimensionless parameter beta for the prediction of axial forces. Coupled with our correlation for radial escape forces, we now have a set of two simple correlations for the practical design of radiation-force-based systems.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design / methods
  • Equipment Failure Analysis / methods*
  • Lasers*
  • Micromanipulation / instrumentation*
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Motion
  • Optics and Photonics / instrumentation*
  • Particle Size
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stress, Mechanical