Ultrastrong Optical Binding
of Metallic Nanoparticles
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Abstract
We demonstrate nanometer precision manipulation of multiple
nanoparticles
at room temperature. This is achieved using the optical binding force,
which has been assumed to be weak compared to the optical gradient
and scattering forces. We show that trapping by the optical binding
force can be over 20 times stronger than by the gradient force and
leads to ultrastable, rigid configurations of multiple nanoparticles
free in solution – a realization of “optical matter.”
In addition, we demonstrate a novel trapping scheme where even smaller
nanoparticles are trapped between larger “anchor” particles.
Optical binding opens the door for the observation of collective phenomena
of nanoparticles and the design of new materials and devices made
from optical matter