Laser trapping dynamics of 200 nm-polystyrene particles at a solution surface

Abstract

We present laser trapping behaviors of 200 nm-polystyrene particles in D2O solution and at its surface using a focused continuous-wave laser beam of 1064 nm. Upon focusing the laser beam into the solution surface, the particles are gathered at the focal spot, and their assembly is expanded to the outside and becomes much larger than the focal volume. The resultant assembly is observed colored under halogen lamp illumination, which is due to a periodic structure like a colloidal crystal. This trapping behavior is much different compared to the laser irradiation into the inside of the solution where a particle-like assembly with a size similar to that of the focal volume is prepared. These findings provide us new insights to consider how radiation pressure of a focused laser beam acts on nanoparticles at a solution surface.