Alignment, rotation, and spinning of single plasmonic nanoparticles and nanowires using polarization dependent optical forces

The properties of gold nanospheres studied with dark field optical trapping

We demonstrate trapping and characterization of multiple gold nanospheres with a setup composed of dark field imaging and optical tweezers. The number of trapped nanospheres is quantified by the overall dark-field scattering intensity. The spectra of the scattering intensity show that there is no interparticle coupling among trapped nanospheres when the density of nanospheres in the trap is low enough (less than 10 particles), while the density of nanosphere increases the interparticle coupling of nanospheres becomes obvious. In addition, the trapping potential of a single gold nanosphere is obtained by trapping an ensemble of gold nanospheres.

Polarization-dependent properties of the cladding modes of a single mode fiber covered with gold nanoparticles

The properties of the high order cladding modes of standard optical fibers are measured in real-time during the deposition of gold nanoparticle layers by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Using a tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG), the resonance wavelength and peak-to-peak amplitude of a radially polarized cladding mode resonance located 51 nm away from the core mode reflection resonance shift by 0.17 nm and 13.54 dB respectively during the formation of a ~200 nm thick layer. For the spectrally adjacent azimuthally polarized resonance, the corresponding shifts are 0.45 nm and 16.34 dB. In both cases, the amplitudes of the resonance go through a pronounced minimum of about 5 dB for thickness between 80 and 100 nm and at the same time the wavelengths shift discontinuously. These effects are discussed in terms of the evolving metallic boundary conditions perceived by the cladding modes as the nanoparticles grow. Scanning Electron Micrographs and observations of cladding mode light scattering by nanoparticle layers of various thicknesses reveal a strong correlation between the TFBG polarized transmission spectra, the grain size and fill factor of the nanoparticles, and the scattering efficiency. This allows the preparation of gold nanoparticle layers that strongly discriminate between radially and azimuthally polarized cladding mode evanescent fields, with important consequences in the plasmonic properties of these layers.

Angular orientation of nanorods using nanophotonic tweezers

Near-field optical techniques have enabled the trapping, transport, and handling of nanoscopic materials much smaller than what can be manipulated with traditional optical tweezers. Here we extend the scope of what is possible by demonstrating angular orientation and rotational control of both biological and nonbiological nanoscale rods using photonic crystal nanotweezers. In our experiments, single microtubules (diameter 25 nm, length 8 μm) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (outer diameter 110-170 nm, length 5 μm) are rotated by the optical torque resulting from their interaction with the evanescent field emanating from these devices. An angular trap stiffness of κ = 92.8 pN·nm/rad(2)·mW is demonstrated for the microtubules, and a torsional spring constant of 22.8 pN·nm/rad(2)·mW is measured for the nanotubes. We expect that this new capability will facilitate the development of high precision nanoassembly schemes and biophysical studies of bending strains of biomolecules.

Nanowire heating by optical electromagnetic irradiation

The dissipative absorption of electromagnetic energy by 1D nanoscale structures at optical frequencies is applicable to several important phenomena, including biomedical photothermal theranostics, nanoscale photovoltaic materials, atmospheric aerosols, and integrated photonic devices. Closed-form analytical calculations are presented for the temperature rise within infinite circular cylinders with nanometer-scale diameters (nanowires) that are irradiated at right angles by a continuous-wave laser source polarized along the nanowire's axis. Solutions for the heat source are compared to both numerical finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations and well-known Mie scattering cross sections for infinite cylinders. The analysis predicts that the maximum temperature increase is affected not only by the cylinder's composition and porosity but also by morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) that lead to significant spikes in the local temperature at particular diameters. Furthermore, silicon nanowires with high thermal conductivities are observed to exhibit extremely uniform internal temperatures during electromagnetic heating to 1 part in 10(6), including cases where there are substantial fluctuations of the internal electric-field source term that generates the Joule heating. For a highly absorbing material such as carbon, much higher temperatures are predicted, the internal temperature distribution is nonuniform, and MDRs are not encountered.

Three-dimensional optical trapping and manipulation of single silver nanowires

We report the first experimental realization of all-optical trapping and manipulation of plasmonic nanowires in three dimensions. The optical beam used for trapping is the Fourier transform of a linearly polarized Bessel beam (termed FT-Bessel). The extended depth of focus of this beam enables the use of a retroreflection geometry to cancel radiation pressure in the beam propagation direction, making it possible to trap highly scattering and absorbing silver nanowires. Individual silver nanowires with lengths of several micrometers can be positioned by the trapping beam with a precision better than 100 nm and are oriented by the polarization of the trapping light with a precision of approximately 1°. Multiple nanowires can be trapped simultaneously in spatially separated maxima of the trapping field. Since trapping in the interferometric FT-Bessel potential is robust in bulk solution and near surfaces, it will enable the controlled assembly of metal nanowires into plasmonic nanostructures.

Controlling the position and orientation of single silver nanowires on a surface using structured optical fields

We demonstrate controlled trapping and manipulation of single silver (Ag) nanowires in two dimensions at a surface using structured light fields generated with a spatial light modulator. The Ag nanowires are attracted toward the regions of maximal optical intensity along the surface when the trapping laser light is linearly polarized and are repelled toward the minima of optical intensity when the light is circularly polarized. For linearly polarized light, stably trapped nanowires are oriented perpendicular to the polarization direction due to a torque induced by an asymmetrical response of the nanowire to the electric field. The attractive interactions with linearly polarized trapping laser light, which is at 800 nm for all measurements, enable stable trapping and translation of Ag nanowires in the antinodes of optical gratings and in zero-order Bessel beams. Trapped nanowires can be positioned and oriented on a transparent dielectric substrate, making possible the nonmechanical assembly of plasmonic nanostructures for particular functions.

Design and optical trapping of a biocompatible propeller-like nanoscale hybrid

Designing nanoscale objects with the potential to perform externally controlled motion in biological environments is one of the most sought-after objectives in nanotechnology. Different types of chemically and physically powered motors have been prepared at the macro- and microscale. However, the preparation of nanoscale objects with a complex morphology, and the potential for light-driven motion has remained elusive to date. Here, we go a step forward by designing a nanoscale hybrid with a propeller-resembling shape, which can be controlled by focused light under biological conditions. Our hybrid, hereafter "Au@DNA-origami", consists of a spherical gold nanoparticle with self-assembled, biocompatible, two-dimensional (2D) DNA sheets on its surface. As a first step toward the potential utilization of these nanoscale objects as light-driven assemblies in biological environments, we show that they can be optically trapped, and hence translated and deposited on-demand, and that under realistic trapping conditions the thermally induced dehybridization of the DNA sheets can be avoided.

Optical alignment and confinement of an ellipsoidal nanorod in optical tweezers: a theoretical study

Within the Rayleigh approximation, we investigate the behavior of an individual ellipsoidal metal nanorod that is optically confined in three dimensions using a single focused laser beam. We focus on the description of the optical torque and optical force acting upon the nanorod placed into a linearly polarized Gaussian beam (scalar description of the electric field) or a strongly focused beam (vector field description). The study comprises the influence of the trapping laser wavelength, the angular aperture of focusing optics, the orientation of the ellipsoidal nanorod, and the aspect ratio of its principal axes. The results reveal a significantly different behavior of the nanorod if the trapping wavelength is longer or shorter than the wavelength corresponding to the longitudinal plasmon resonance mode. Published experimental observations are compared with our theoretical predictions with satisfactory results.

Spinning nanorods--active optical manipulation of semiconductor nanorods using polarised light

In this letter we show how a single beam optical trap offers the means for three-dimensional manipulation of semiconductor nanorods in solution. Furthermore rotation of the direction of the electric field provides control over the orientation of the nanorods, which is shown by polarisation analysis of two photon induced fluorescence. Statistics over tens of trapped agglomerates reveal a correlation between the measured degree of polarisation (DLP) and the size of the agglomerate which was determined by the escape frequency and the intensity of the emitted fluorescence. We estimate that we have trapped agglomerates with a volume of close to 10 times the volume of a single nanorod, which exhibited DLPs as high as 52%.

Manipulation of gold nanorods with dual-optical tweezers for surface plasmon resonance control

Gold nanorods are too tiny to be manipulated using conventional mechanical methods. In this paper, we demonstrate the trapping, transferring, positioning and patterning of gold nanorods with dual-optical tweezers. The convenient manipulations are achieved by taking advantage of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of gold nanorods and the anisotropic optical trapping forces formed by two linearly polarized Gaussian beams. The trapped gold nanoparticles are positioned extremely firmly and quickly on a substrate compared with randomly dispersed ones. It is observed that gold nanorods show advantages over gold nanospheres with regard to positioning speed and stability. More importantly, versatile plasmon coupling effects have been achieved in some patterned nanorods.

Role of interfering optical fields in the trapping and melting of gold nanorods and related clusters

We investigate the simultaneous trapping and melting of a large number of gold (Au) nanorods by using a single focused laser beam at 800 nm which is in resonance with the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of Au nanorods. The trapping and melting processes were monitored by the two-photon luminescence of Au nanorods. A multi-ring-shaped pattern was observed in the steady state of the trapping process. In addition, optical trapping of clusters of Au nanorods in the orbits circling the focus was observed. The morphology of the structure after trapping and melting of Au nanorods was characterized by scanning electron microscope. It was revealed that Au nanorods were selectively melted in the trapping region. While Au nanorods distributed in the dark rings were completely melted, those located in the bright rings remain unmelted. The multi-ring-shaped pattern formed by the interference between the incident light and the scattered light plays an important role in the trapping and melting of Au nanorods.

Simulating light scattering from supported plasmonic nanowires

We present a method for calculating the differential scattering cross sections from nanostructures close to an interface separating two semi-infinitive dielectric media. The method combines a fast finite element software (Comsol multiphysics), used for calculations of the fields around and inside the structure, and the Green's functions method, which is used to find the far field distribution from the calculated total fields inside the nanostructure. We apply the method to calculations of scattering spectra from silver nanowires supported by an air-glass interface, a system that is of high current interest in relation to various nanophotonics applications. The results are analyzed in relation to analytical models and compared to experimentally measured spectra, to which we find a good agreement.

Dark-field optical tweezers for nanometrology of metallic nanoparticles

Applications of metallic nanoparticles are based on their strongly size-dependent optical properties. We present a method for combining optical tweezers with dark field microscopy that allows measurement of localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectra on single isolated nanoparticles without compromising the strength of the optical trap. Using this spectroscopic information in combination with measurements of trap stiffness and hydrodynamic drag, allows us to determine the dimensions of the trapped nanoparticles. A relationship is found between the measured diameters of the particles and the peak wavelengths of their spectra. Using this method we may also resolve complex spectra of particle aggregation and interactions within the tweezers.

Plasmon hybridization reveals the interaction between individual colloidal gold nanoparticles confined in an optical potential well

The understanding of interaction forces between nanoparticles in colloidal suspension is central to a wide range of novel applications and processes in science and industry. However, few methods are available for actual characterization of such forces at the single particle level. Here we demonstrate the first measurements of colloidal interactions between two individual diffusing nanoparticles using a colorimetric assay based on plasmon hybridization, that is, strong near-field coupling between localized surface plasmon resonances. The measurements are possible because individual gold nanoparticle pairs can be loosely confined in an optical potential well created by a laser tweezers. We quantify the degree of plasmon hybridization for a large number of individual particle pairs as a function of increasing salt concentration. The data reveal a considerable heterogeneity at the single particle level but the estimated average surface separations are in excellent agreements with predictions based on the classical theory of Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek.

Plasmonic nanoparticle chain in a light field: a resonant optical sail

Optical trapping and driving of small objects has become a topic of increasing interest in multidisciplinary sciences. We propose to use a chain made of metallic nanoparticles as a resonant light sail, attached by one end point to a transparent object and propelling it by the use of electromagnetic radiation. Driving forces exerted on the chain are theoretically studied as a function of radiation's wavelength and chain's alignments with respect to the direction of radiation. Interestingly, there is a window in the frequency spectrum in which null-torque equilibrium configuration, with minimum geometric cross section, corresponds to a maximum in the driving force.

Plasmon-driven selective deposition of au bipyramidal nanoparticles

We demonstrate the plasmon-selective and driven deposition of (bipyramidal) Au nanoparticles on transparent substrates (glass coverslips) utilizing total internal reflection (TIR) illumination. Near-IR laser light undergoing TIR at a glass-water interface causes colloidal Au bipyramids to irreversibly deposit onto the glass surface. We demonstrate that the deposition process has particle (i.e., shape) selectivity that is associated with resonant plasmon excitation. Specifically, the deposition is selective for the bipyramids over spheroidal particles that are also present in solution due to the former's surface plasmon resonance in the near-IR region. Our measurements, finite difference time domain simulations, and the results of an analytical model show that the optical (i.e., scattering and gradient) forces that act on the particles are large and cause the observed acceleration and directed motion of the bipyramids. These directional forces play a major role in the spatial pattern of particle deposition that is observed. In addition, the resonant photothermal heating of the Au bipyramids causes an irreversible loss in colloidal stability, thus allowing them to adhere to the surface. Structural (i.e., scanning electron microscopy) characterization of the deposited bipyramids reveals a slight reduction in aspect ratio relative to the ensemble, consistent with the proposed (heating) mechanism. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of the plasmon-selective deposition of metal nanoparticles from a heterogeneous mixture.

Brownian fluctuations and heating of an optically aligned gold nanorod

We present the first quantitative measurements of the torque exerted on a single gold nanorod in a polarized three-dimensional optical trap. We determined the torque both by observing the time-averaged orientation distribution and by measuring the dynamics of the rotational brownian fluctuations. The measurements are in good agreement with calculations, where the temperature profile around the hot nanorod gives rise to a reduced, effective viscosity. The maximum torque on a 60  nm×25  nm nanorod was 100  pN·nm, large enough to address single-molecule processes in soft and biological matter.

Stimulated light emission and inelastic scattering by a classical linear system of rotating particles

The rotational dynamics of particles subject to external illumination is found to produce light amplification and inelastic scattering at high rotation velocities. Light emission at frequencies shifted with respect to the incident light by twice the rotation frequency dominates over elastic scattering within a wide range of light and rotation frequencies. Remarkably, net amplification of the incident light is produced in this classical linear system via stimulated emission. Large optically induced acceleration rates are predicted in vacuum accompanied by moderate heating of the particle, thus supporting the possibility of observing these effects under extreme rotation conditions.

All-optical patterning of Au nanoparticles on surfaces using optical traps

The fabrication of nanoscale devices would be greatly enhanced by "nanomanipulators" that can position single and few objects rapidly with nanometer precision and without mechanical damage. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and precision of an optical laser tweezer, or optical trap, approach to place single gold (Au) nanoparticles on surfaces with high precision (approximately 100 nm standard deviation). The error in the deposition process is rather small but is determined to be larger than the thermal fluctuations of single nanoparticles within the optical trap. Furthermore, areas of tens of square micrometers could be patterned in a matter of minutes. Since the method does not rely on lithography, scanning probes or a specialized surface, it is versatile and compatible with a variety of systems. We discuss active feedback methods to improve positioning accuracy and the potential for multiplexing and automation.