2003/10/05 by H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, T. A. Nieminen, M. E. J. Friese +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.optics
published as Advances in Quantum Chemistry 30, 469-492 (1998) · 13 pages, 11 figures
arxiv created 2003/10/05 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
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.