Gregor Knöner

Optical tweezers computational toolbox

We describe a toolbox, implemented in Matlab, for the computational modelling of optical tweezers. The toolbox is designed for the calculation of optical forces and torques, and can be used for both spherical and nonspherical particles, in both Gaussian and other beams. The toolbox might also be useful for light scattering using either Lorenz–Mie theory or the T-matrix method.

Enhanced oxygen diffusivity in interfaces of nanocrystalline ZrO2⋅Y2O3

First measurements of oxygen grain boundary diffusion coefficients in nanocrystalline yttria-doped ZrO2 (n-ZrO2⋅6.9 mol % Y2O3) are presented. The 18O diffusion profiles measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy are much deeper in the nanocrystalline specimens than in single crystals. An oxygen diffusivity, DB, in the grain boundaries can be deduced, which is ≈3 orders of magnitude higher than in single crystals. From the present data the temperature variation of the oxygen grain boundary diffusivity, DB = 2.0 × 10−5 exp (−0.91 eV/kBT) m2/s, and the oxygen surface exchange coefficient, k = 1.4 × 10−2 exp (−1.13 eV/kBT) m/s, are derived.

Integrated optomechanical microelements

We integrate the optical elements required to generate optical orbital angular momentum into a microdevice. This allows the rotation of either naturally occuring microparticles or specially fabricated optical rotors. We use a two photon photopolymerization process to create microscopic diffractive optical elements, customized to a wavelength of choice, which are integrated with micromachines in microfluidic devices. This enables the application of high optical torques with off-the-shelf optical tweezers systems.

Picoliter viscometry using optically rotated particles

Important aspects in the field of microrheology are studies of the viscosity of fluids within structures with micrometer dimensions and fluid samples where only microliter volumes are available. We have quantitatively investigated the performance and accuracy of a microviscometer based on rotating optical tweezers, which requires as little as one microliter of sample. We have characterized our microviscometer, including effects due to heating, and demonstrated its ability to perform measurements over a large dynamic range of viscosities (at least two orders of magnitude). We have also inserted a probe particle through the membrane of a cell and measured the viscosity of the intramembranous contents. Viscosity measurements of tears have also been made with our microviscometer, which demonstrate its potential use to study unstimulated eye fluid.

Measurement of the index of refraction of single microparticles.

The refractive index of single microparticles is derived from precise measurement and rigorous modeling of the stiffness of a laser trap. We demonstrate the method for particles of four different materials with diameters from 1.6 to 5.2 μm and achieve an accuracy of better than 1 %. The method greatly contributes as a new characterization technique because it works best under conditions (small particle size, polydispersion) where other methods, like absorption spectroscopy, start to fail. Particles need not to be transferred to a particular fluid, which prevents particle degradation or alteration common in index matching techniques. Our results also show that advanced modeling of laser traps accurately reproduces experimental reality.

Measurement of the Total Optical Angular Momentum Transfer in Optical Tweezers

We describe a way to determine the total angular momentum, both spin and orbital, transferred to a particle trapped in optical tweezers. As an example an LG(02) mode of a laser beam with varying degrees of circular polarisation is used to trap and rotate an elongated particle with a well defined geometry. The method successfully estimates the total optical torque applied to the particle. For this technique, there is no need to measure the viscous drag on the particle, as it is an optical measurement. Therefore, knowledge of the particles size and shape, as well as the fluids viscosity, is not required.

Physics of Optical Tweezers

We outline the basic principles of optical tweezers as well as the fundamental theory underlying optical tweezers. The optical forces responsible for trapping result from the transfer of momentum from the trapping beam to the particle and are explained in terms of the momenta of incoming and reflected or refracted rays. We also consider the angular momentum flux of the beam in order to understand and explain optical torques. In order to provide a qualitative picture of the trapping, we treat the particle as a weak positive lens and the forces on the lens are shown. However, this representation does not provide quantitative results for the force. We, therefore, present results of applying exact electromagnetic theory to optical trapping. First, we consider a tightly focused laser beam. We give results for trapping of spherical particles and examine the limits of trappability in terms of type and size of the particles. We also study the effect of a particle on the beam. This exact solution reproduces the same qualitative effect as when treating the particle as a lens where changes in the convergence or divergence and in the direction of the trapping beam result in restoring forces acting on the particle. Finally, we review the fundamental theory of optical tweezers.

Optical torque on microscopic objects

We outline in general the role and potential areas of application for the use of optical torque in optical tweezers. Optically induced torque is always a result of transfer of angular momentum from light to a particle with conservation of momentum as an underlying principle. Consequently, rotation can be induced by a beam of light that carries angular momentum (AM) or by a beam that carries no AM but where AM is induced in the beam by the particle. First, we analyze some techniques to exert torque with optical tweezers such as dual beam traps. We also discuss the alignment and rotation which is achieved using laser beams carrying intrinsic AM-either spin or orbital AM, or both. We then discuss the types of particles that can be trapped and rotated in such beams such as absorbing or birefringent particles. We present a systematic study of the alignment of particles with respect to the beam axis and the beams polarization as a way of inducing optical torque by studying crystals of the protein lysozyme. We present the theory behind quantitative measurements of both spin and orbital momentum transfer. Finally, we discuss the applications of rotation in optically driven micromachines, microrheology, flow field measurements, and microfluidics.

Refractometry of organosilica microspheres

The refractive index of novel organosilica (nano/micro) material is determined using two methods. The first method is based on analysis of optical extinction efficiency of organosilica beads versus wavelength, which is obtained by a standard laboratory spectrometer. The second method relies on the measurable trapping potential of these beads in the focused light beam (laser tweezers). Polystyrene beads were used to test these methods, and the determined dispersion curves of refractive-index values have been found accurate. The refractive index of organosilica beads has been determined to range from 1.60 to 1.51 over the wavelength range of 300-1100 nm.

Toolbox for Calculation of Optical Forces and Torques

We describe a toolbox, implemented in Matlab, for the computational modelling of optical forces and torques.