Optical force field mapping in microdevices

Abstract

We present a method for characterizing microscopic optical force fields. Two dimensional vector force maps are generated by measuring the optical force applied to a probe particle for a grid of particle positions. The method is used to map out the force field created by the beam from a lensed fiber inside a liquid filled microdevice. We find transverse gradient forces and axial scattering forces on the order of 2 pN per 10 mW laser power which are constant over a considerable axial range (>35 µm). These findings suggest future useful applications of lensed fibers for particle guiding/sorting. The propulsion of a small particle at a constant velocity of 200 µm s⁻¹ is shown.