Active Motion of a Janus Particle by Self-Thermophoresis in a Defocused Laser Beam

TLDR

The study investigates self‑propulsion of a half‑metal coated colloidal particle under laser irradiation and measures temperature distribution and slip flow to clarify the underlying mechanism. Self‑thermophoresis, caused by laser absorption on the metal‑coated side creating a local temperature gradient, drives the particle’s motion. Measured temperature drops confirm predicted propulsion speeds, and the technique is applied to drive a microrotor.

Abstract

We study self-propulsion of a half-metal coated colloidal particle under laser irradiation. The motion is caused by self-thermophoresis: i.e., absorption of a laser at the metal-coated side of the particle creates local temperature gradient which in turn drives the particle by thermophoresis. To clarify the mechanism, temperature distribution and a thermal slip flow field around a microscale Janus particle are measured for the first time. With measured temperature drop across the particle, the speed of self-propulsion is corroborated with the prediction based on accessible parameters. As an application for driving a micromachine, a microrotor is demonstrated.