Deciphering single- and multi-particle trapping dynamics under femtosecond pulsed excitation with simultaneous spatial and temporal resolution

Recent theoretical and experimental studies have shed light on how laser trapping dynamics under femtosecond pulsed excitation are fine-tuned by optical and thermal nonlinearities. Here, we present experimental results of trapping of single and multiple polystyrene beads (of 1 mu m diameter). We show how integration and synchronization of bright-field video microscopy with confocal detection of backscatter provide both spatial and temporal resolution required to capture intricate details of nonlinear trapping dynamics. Such spatiotemporal detection is promising to have far-reaching applications in exploring controlled laser trapping and manipulations harnessed by optical and thermal nonlinearities.

Automated summary

Recent studies have revealed how laser trapping dynamics under femtosecond pulsed excitation are finely tuned by optical and thermal nonlinearities. This study presents experimental results of trapping single and multiple polystyrene beads (1 µm diameter) and demonstrates the spatial and temporal resolution provided by integrating bright-field video microscopy with confocal detection of backscatter. The spatiotemporal detection has promising applications in exploring controlled laser trapping and manipulations driven by optical and thermal nonlinearities.