Observation of a single-beam gradient force optical trap for dielectric particles

TLDR

The study explores applying the single‑beam gradient force trap to atom trapping. The authors demonstrated, for the first time, that this trap can optically confine dielectric particles from 10 µm to ~25 nm in water, confirming negative light pressure and extending accessible sizes into the Rayleigh regime.

Abstract

Optical trapping of dielectric particles by a single-beam gradient force trap was demonstrated for the first reported time. This confirms the concept of negative light pressure due to the gradient force. Trapping was observed over the entire range of particle size from 10 μm to ~25 nm in water. Use of the new trap extends the size range of macroscopic particles accessible to optical trapping and manipulation well into the Rayleigh size regime. Application of this trapping principle to atom trapping is considered.