Light-Driven Rotation of Plasmonic Nanomotors

Colloidal metal nanocrystals exhibit distinct plasmonic resonances that can greatly enhance optical forces and torques. This article highlights the recent application of such particles as light-driven rotary motors at the nanoscale. By using laser tweezers, it is possible to achieve unprecedented rotation performance in solution, providing a variety of exciting possibilities for applications ranging from nanomechanics to biochemical sensing. Recent developments in this emerging field are discussed, and the physics behind the rotation mechanism, the Brownian dynamics, and the photothermal heating effects influencing the performance of the plasmonic nanomotors are introduced. Possible applications, open questions, and interesting future developments are also discussed.