Off-axis optical levitation and transverse spinning of metallic microparticles

Optical manipulation of metallic microparticles remains a significant challenge because of the strong scattering forces arising from the high extinction coefficient of the particles. This paper reports a new mechanism for stable confinement of metallic microparticles using a tightly focused linearly polarized Gaussian beam. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that metallic microparticles can be captured off the optical axis in such a beam. Meanwhile, the three-dimensionally confined particles are observed spinning transversely as a response to the asymmetric force field. The off-axis levitation and transverse spinning of metallic micropartides may provide a new way for effective manipulation of metallic micropartides. (C) 2021 Chinese Laser Press

Automated summary

This paper introduces a new mechanism for stable confinement of metallic microparticles using a tightly focused linearly polarized Gaussian beam, allowing the particles to be captured off the optical axis and observed spinning transversely in response to asymmetric force fields. This method may offer a new way for effective manipulation of metallic microparticles.