Optical Trapping and Manipulation of Nano-Objects With an Apertureless Probe

Published

March 1, 2002

Author(s)

P C. Chaumet, A Rahmani, M Nieto-Vesperinas

Abstract

We propose a novel way to trap and manipulate nano-objects above a dielectric substrate using an apertureless near-field probe. A combination of evanescent illumination and light scatterig at the probe apex is used to shape the optical fields into a localized, three dimensional optical trap. We use the coupled-dipole method and the Maxwell stress tensor to provide a self-consistent description of the optical force, including retardation and the influence of the substrate, and we show that under realistic conditions, small objects can be selectively captured and manipulated under realistic conditions.

Citation

Physical Review Letters

Volume

88

Issue

No. 12

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

apertureless probe, nanomanipulation, nanooptics, optical force, optical tweezers

Citation

Chaumet, P. , Rahmani, A. and Nieto-Vesperinas, M. (2002), Optical Trapping and Manipulation of Nano-Objects With an Apertureless Probe, Physical Review Letters (Accessed October 10, 2025)