Laser trapping of microscopic particles for undergraduate experiments
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2000
Abstract
We present detailed instructions for constructing and operating an optical trap using a hollow core fiber and two-laser beams. The trap is stable, confining 100-nm to 10-μm particles of a variety of materials for hours of leisurely observation. The trap operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, costs less than $1400, and requires no machining. The hollow fiber provides automatic relative beam alignment and shields trapped particles from the ambient convective flow. An experiment and analysis of the Mie scattering from the trapped particle is outlined. A list of other interesting experiments based on the trap is provided. © 2000 American Association of Physics Teachers.
Publication Title
American Journal of Physics
Recommended Citation
Pastel, R.,
Struthers, A.,
Ringle, R.,
Rogers, J.,
Rohde, C.,
&
Geiser, P.
(2000).
Laser trapping of microscopic particles for undergraduate experiments.
American Journal of Physics,
68(11), 993-1001.
http://doi.org/10.1119/1.1286048
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/12200