Analysis of optical trapping and propulsion of Rayleigh particles using Airy beam

The radiation forces and trajectories of Rayleigh dielectric particles induced by one-dimensional Airy beam were numerically analyzed. Results show that the Airy beam drags particles into the optical intensity peaks, and guides particles vertically along parabolic trajectories. Viscosity of surrounding medium significantly affects the trajectories. Random Brownian force affects the trajectories. Meanwhile, trapping potential depths and minimum trapping particle radii in different potential wells were also discussed. The trapping stability could be improved by increasing either the input peak intensity or the particle radius. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America