Optical trapping of nonspherical particles in the T-matrix formalism

The theory of the trapping of nonspherical particles in the focal region of a high-numerical-aperture optical system is formulated in the framework of the transition matrix approach. Both the case of an unaberrated lens and the case of an aberrated one are considered. The theory is applied to single latex spheres of various sizes and, when the results are compared with the available experimental data, a fair agreement is attained. The theory is also applied to binary clusters of spheres of latex with a diameter of 220 nm in various orientations. Although, in this case we have no experimental data to which our results can be compared, we get useful indications for the trapping of nonspherical particles. In particular, we find substantial agreement with recent results on the trapping of prolate spheroids in aberrated gaussian fields [S. H. Simpson and S. Hanna, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 24, 430 (2007)]

On the rotational stability of nonspherical particles driven by the radiation torque

We calculate the radiation torque exerted by a monochromatic plane wave, either unpolarized or linearly polarized, on aggregates of spheres and investigate the stability of the resulting rotational motion. In fact, neglecting any braking momenta we calculate the component of the electromagnetic torque orthogonal to the principal axis of maximum moment of inertia through the center of mass (transverse torque), as a function of the direction of propagation of the incident field. The aggregates we study are composed of homogeneous spheres, possibly of different materials. The electromagnetic torque is calculated through the transition matrix approach along the lines of the theory reported in our recent paper [F. Borghese, P. Denti, R. Saija and M. A. Iati, Opt. Express 14, 9508 (2006)]. When the transverse component of the electromagnetic torque is small or vanishes the rotational motion driven by the component along the principal axis of inertia may be nearly stable

Optical trapping calculations for metal nanoparticles. Comparison with experimental data for Au and Ag spheres.

We calculate the optical forces on Au and Ag nanospheres through a procedure based on the Maxwell stress tensor. We compare the theoretical and experimental force constants obtained for gold and silver nanospheres finding good agreement for all particles with r < 80 nm. The trapping of the larger particles recently demonstrated in experiments is not foreseen by our purely electromagnetic theory based on fixed dielectric properties. Since the laser power produces a heating that may be large for the largest spheres, we propose a model in which the latter particles are surrounded by a steam bubble. This model foresees the trapping of these particles and the results turn out to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data

Optical Properties of Composite Interstellar Grains: A Morphological Analysis

In the framework of the transition matrix approach, we calculate the relevant optical properties of cosmic dust grains of amorphous carbon and astronomical silicates, modeled as aggregates of spherical monomers. Two mechanisms of aggregation were considered, producing clusters with different structure and degree of fluffiness: ballistic particle-cluster aggregation (BPCA) and ballistic cluster-cluster aggregation (BCCA). Our results are very different from those obtained through computational approaches based on effective medium theories and might have major implications both on the modeling procedure and on the dust-mass balance in the interstellar medium

Ultraviolet Radiation inside Interstellar Grain Aggregates. II. Field Depolarization

We study the polarization of the UV light within the cavities of interstellar grain aggregates modeled as homo- geneous spheres containing several spherical voids. The incident field is a linearly polarized plane wave. We found that field depolarization occurs in all examined cases so that the field within the cavities has the features of an ellip- tically polarized wave. The depolarization of the field does not depend on the material of the grains but on the geometry of the problem only. The implications of this result for the interstellar photochemistry are briefly discussed

Ultraviolet Radiation inside Interstellar Grain Aggregates. I. The Density of Radiation

We study the distribution of energy density inside dust grain aggregates through an approach based on the multipole expansion of the electromagnetic fields. A significant fraction of the energy of the impinging wave is found throughout the interiors of grains. Implications for extraterrestrial prebiotic chemistry are discussed

Electrospun Conjugated Polymer/Fullerene Hybrid Fibers: Photoactive Blends, Conductivity through Tunnelling-AFM, Light-Scattering, and Perspective for Their Use in Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

Hybrid conjugated polymer/fullerene filaments based on MEH-PPV/PVP/PCBM are prepared by electrospinning, and their properties assessed by scanning electron, atomic and lateral force, tunnelling, and confocal microscopy, as well as by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence quantum yield and spatially-resolved fluorescence. Highlighted features include ribbon-shape of the realized fibers, and the persistence of a network serving as a template for heterogeneous active layers in solar cell devices. A set of favorable characteristics is evidenced in this way in terms of homogeneous charge transport behavior and formation of effective interfaces for diffusion and dissociation of photogenerated excitons. The interaction of the organic filaments with light, exhibiting specific light-scattering properties of the nanofibrous mat, might also contribute to spreading incident radiation across the active layers, thus potentially enhancing photovoltaic performance. This method might be applied to other electron donor-electron acceptor material systems for the fabrication of solar cell devices enhanced by nanofibrillar morphologies embedding conjugated polymers and fullerene compounds.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figure

Optical trapping of silver nanoplatelets

Optical trapping of silver nanoplatelets obtained with a simple room temperature chemical synthesis technique is reported. Trap spring constants are measured for platelets with different diameters to investigate the size-scaling behaviour. Experimental data are compared with models of optical forces based on the dipole approximation and on electromagnetic scattering within a T-matrix framework. Finally, we discuss applications of these nanoplatelets for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Rotational dynamics of optically trapped polymeric nanofibers

The optical trapping of polymeric nanofibers and the characterization of the rotational dynamics are reported. A strategy to apply a torque to a polymer nanofiber, by tilting the trapped fibers using a symmetrical linear polarized Gaussian beam is demonstrated. Rotation frequencies up to 10 Hz are measured, depending on the trapping power, the fiber length and the tilt angle. A comparison of the experimental rotation frequencies in the different trapping configurations with calculations based on optical trapping and rotation of linear nanostructures through a T-Matrix formalism, accurately reproduce the measured data, providing a comprehensive description of the trapping and rotation dynamics.Comment: (21 pages, 5 figures