M. E. J. Friese

Optical alignment and spinning of laser-trapped microscopic particles

Light-induced rotation of absorbing microscopic particles by transfer of angular momentum from light to the material raises the possibility of optically driven micromachines. The phenomenon has been observed using elliptically polarized laser beams or beams with helical phase structure,. But it is difficult to develop high power in such experiments because of overheating and unwanted axial forces, limiting the achievable rotation rates to a few hertz. This problem can in principle be overcome by using transparent particles, transferring angular momentum by a mechanism first observed by Beth in 1936, when he reported a tiny torque developed in a quartz ‘wave-plate’ owing to the change in polarization of transmitted light. Here we show that an optical torque can be induced on microscopic birefringent particles of calcite held by optical tweezers. Depending on the polarization of the incident beam, the particles either become aligned with the plane of polarization (and thus can be rotated through specified angles) or spin with constant rotation frequency. Because these microscopic particles are transparent, they can be held in three-dimensional optical traps at very high power without heating, leading to rotation rates of over 350 Hz.

Optically driven micromachine elements

We report on a proof of principle demonstration of an optically driven micromachine element. Optical angular momentum is transferred from a circularly polarized laser beam to a birefringent particle confined in an optical tweezers trap. The optical torque causes the particle to spin at up to 350 Hz, and this torque is harnessed to drive an optically trapped microfabricated structure. We describe a photolithographic method for producing the microstructures and show how a light driven motor could be used in a micromachine system.

Optical torque controlled by elliptical polarization.

We show theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that highly absorbing particles can be trapped and manipulated in a single highly focused Gaussian beam. Our studies of the effects of polarized light on such particles show that they can be set into rotation by elliptically polarized light and that both the sense and the speed of their rotation can be smoothly controlled.

Determination of the force constant of a single-beam gradient trap by measurement of backscattered light.

A single-beam gradient trap could potentially be used to hold a stylus for scanning force microscopy. With a view to development of this technique, we modeled the optical trap as a harmonic oscillator and therefore characterized it by its force constant. We measured force constants and resonant frequencies for 1-4-μm-diameter polystyrene spheres in a single-beam gradient trap using measurements of backscattered light. Force constants were determined with both Gaussian and doughnut laser modes, with powers of 3 and 1 mW, respectively. Typical values for spring constants were measured to be between 10(-6) and 4 × 10(-6) N/m. The resonant frequencies of trapped particles were measured to be between 1 and 10 kHz, and the rms amplitudes of oscillations were estimated to be around 40 nm. Our results confirm that the use of the doughnut mode for single-beam trapping is more efficient in the axial direction.

Optical Trapping of Absorbing Particles

Radiation pressure forces in a focussed laser beam can be used to trap microscopic absorbing particles against a substrate. Calculations based on momentum transfer considerations show that stable trapping occurs before the beam waist, and that trapping is more effective with doughnut beams. Such doughnut beams can transfer angular momentum leading to rotation of the trapped particles. Energy is also transferred, which can result in heating of the particles to temperatures above the boiling point of the surrounding medium.

Three-dimensional imaging with optical tweezers

We demonstrate a three-dimensional scanning probe microscope in which the extremely soft spring of an optical tweezers trap is used. Feedback control of the instrument based on backscattered light levels allows three-dimensional imaging of microscopic samples in an aqueous environment. Preliminary results with a 2-microm-diameter spherical probe indicate that features of approximately 200 nm can be resolved, with a sensitivity of 5 nm in the height measurement. The theoretical resolution is limited by the probe dimensions.

Laser cooling of a solid from ambient temperature

Abstract A 250 μm diameter fibre of ytterbium-doped ZBLAN was cooled by 13 K from room temperature. The cooling was performed in vacuum to limit the thermal load on the fibre. 0.85 W of laser light at 1015 nm was coupled into the fibre. The ytterbium ions absorbed this light, and the excited atoms thermalized phononically and on average emitted light at a wavelength of 996 nm. Since the quantum efficiency of the transition was high, this resulted in a net loss of energy from the glass, producing net bulk cooling.

Linewidth reduction in a large-smile laser diode array

We present theory and simulations for a spectral narrowing scheme for laser diode arrays (LDAs) that employs optical feedback from a diffraction grating. We calculate the effect of the so-called smile of the LDA and show that it is possible to reduce the effect by using a cylindrical lens set at an angle to the beam. The scheme is implemented on a 19-element LDA with smile of 7.6 microm and yields frequency narrowing from a free-running width of 2 to 0.15 nm. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theory.

Optical alignment and spinning of laser-trapped microscopic particles (vol 394, pg 348, 1998)

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/28566

Trapping microscopic particles with singular beams

It has been shown previously that it is possible to two- dimensionally trap a microscopic absorbing particle against a substrate using a focused doughnut beam. Beam angular momentum associated with the phase singularity is transferred to the particle, causing it to rotate. A detailed consideration of the optical forces acting on a particle shows the importance of wavefront curvature for stable trapping and lead to a quantitative description of the motion of the particle in single and multiple beam traps.