Three-dimensional optical trapping and laser ablation of a single polymer latex particle in water

Abstract

We developed a laser trapping-ablation system comprised of CW and pulsed Nd3+:YAG lasers as well as of an optical microscope. Three-dimensional manipulation of various kinds of particles and laser ablation of a single optically trapped, poly(methyl methacrylate) latex particle in water were demonstrated. A minute hole with its diameter of ∼sub-μm was fabricated on the latex particle (∼6 μm diameter). The hole size produced was much smaller than the effective diameter of the excitation laser beam, suggesting nonlinear optical (self-focusing of the laser beam) and photochemical (multiphoton absorption) mechanisms for the present laser trapping ablation. Characteristic features of the laser trapping-ablation are discussed in detail.