Self-rotation of an assembly of two or more cylindrical objects in optical tweezers: a simple approach for realization of optically driven micromotors

Mohanty, Samarendra K. ; Gupta, Pradeep K. ; Verma, Ravi S. (2007) Self-rotation of an assembly of two or more cylindrical objects in optical tweezers: a simple approach for realization of optically driven micromotors Current Science, 93 (5). pp. 695-698. ISSN 0011-3891

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Official URL: http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/sep102007/695.pdf

Abstract

We show that an assembly of two or more cylindrical objects rotates by itself when trapped in conventional optical tweezers. The rotational speed and direction of rotation were observed to depend on the asymmetry of the structure, and for a given structure the speed was found to increase linearly with increase in the trapping beam power. A ray optic model was also developed for the assembly of rods. Its predictions on the direction of rotation and the optical torque on the assembly were in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations. Such an assembly of rods may provide a convenient and dynamically reconfigurable approach for optically driven micromotors.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Current Science Association.
Keywords:Microfluidics; Micromotors; Optical Trapping; Optical Tweezers
ID Code:22236
Deposited On:23 Nov 2010 08:28
Last Modified:17 May 2016 06:18

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