Controlled simultaneous rotation of multiple optically trapped particles

Lynn Paterson*, Michael P. MacDonald, J. Arlt, W. Dultz, H. Schmitzer, Wilson Sibbett, Kishan Dholakia

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present a method for the controlled alignment or rotation of birefringent particles trapped in multiple optical trap sites of an interference pattern between two Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes. Controlled spin or alignment of the particles within each individual trap site is achieved independently of the lateral or rotational motion of the interference pattern as a whole. This technique may lead to driving arrays of micro-machines and micro-fluidic studies and can be used in combination with dynamically generated trapping arrays for uniformly distributed stirring throughout microscopic volumes of fluid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1591-1599
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Modern Optics
Volume50
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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