Toward steering a jet of particles into an X-ray beam with optically induced forces

Niko Eckerskorn, Richard Bowman, Richard A. Kirian, Salah Awel, Max Wiedorn, Jochen Küpper, Miles J. Padgett, Henry N. Chapman, Andrei V. Rode

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Optical trapping of light-absorbing particles in a gaseous environment is governed by a laser-induced photophoretic force, which can be orders of magnitude stronger than the force of radiation pressure induced by the same light intensity. In spite of many experimental studies, the exact theoretical background underlying the photophoretic force and the prediction of its influence on the particle motion is still in its infancy. Here, we report the results of a quantitative analysis of the photophoretic force and the stiffness of trapping achieved by levitating graphite and carbon-coated glass shells of calibrated sizes in an upright diverging hollow-core vortex beam, which we refer to as an âõptical funnelâ™. The measurements of forces were conducted in air at various gas pressures in the range from 5 mbar to 2 bar. The results of these measurements lay the foundation for developing a touch-free optical system for precisely positioning sub-micrometer bioparticles at the focal spot of an X-ray free electron laser, which would significantly enhance the efficiency of studying nanoscale morphology of proteins and biomolecules in femtosecond coherent diffractive imaging experiments.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XII
    EditorsGabriel C. Spalding, Kishan Dholakia, Kishan Dholakia, Gabriel C. Spalding
    PublisherSPIE
    ISBN (Electronic)9781628417142, 9781628417142
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015
    EventOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XII - San Diego, United States
    Duration: 9 Aug 201512 Aug 2015

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    Volume9548
    ISSN (Print)0277-786X
    ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

    Conference

    ConferenceOptical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XII
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego
    Period9/08/1512/08/15

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