Optically Driven Janus Micro Engine with Full Orbital Motion Control

Microengines have shown promise for a variety of applications in nanotechnology, microfluidics and nanomedicine, including targeted drug delivery, microscale pumping, and environmental remediation. However, achieving precise control over their dynamics remains a significant challenge. In this study,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors David Bronte Ciriza, Callegari, Agnese, Donato, Maria Grazia, Berk Çiçek, Magazzù, Alessandro, Kasianiuk, Iryna, Kasianiuk, Denis, Schmidt, Falko, Foti, Antonino, Gucciardi, Pietro G, Volpe, Giovanni, Lanza, Maurizio, Biancofiore, Luca, Maragò, Onofrio M
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 12.07.2023
Subjects
Actuation
Angular momentum
Circular polarization
Ellipticity
Geometrical optics
Light beams
Microfluidics
Motion control
Nanoparticles
Polarized light
Temperature effects
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Summary:Microengines have shown promise for a variety of applications in nanotechnology, microfluidics and nanomedicine, including targeted drug delivery, microscale pumping, and environmental remediation. However, achieving precise control over their dynamics remains a significant challenge. In this study, we introduce a microengine that exploits both optical and thermal effects to achieve a high degree of controllability. We find that in the presence of a strongly focused light beam, a gold-silica Janus particle becomes confined at the stationary point where the optical and thermal forces balance. By using circularly polarized light, we can transfer angular momentum to the particle breaking the symmetry between the two forces and resulting in a tangential force that drives directed orbital motion. We can simultaneously control the velocity and direction of rotation of the particle changing the ellipticity of the incoming light beam, while tuning the radius of the orbit with laser power. Our experimental results are validated using a geometrical optics phenomenological model that considers the optical force, the absorption of optical power, and the resulting heating of the particle. The demonstrated enhanced flexibility in the control of microengines opens up new possibilities for their utilization in a wide range of applications, encompassing microscale transport, sensing, and actuation.
ISSN:2331-8422