Structured Light and Its Applications

Chapter 4 Nanoscale Optics: Interparticle Forces

Luciana C. Dávila Romero, David L. Andrews

University of East Anglia, UK

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The nature and variety of optical forces that operate on particles of atomic, molecular, nanoscale or microscale dimensions are in principle similar to those that relate to the effect of light on larger particles. When compared to the latter, however, a significant difference in practical terms is the greater ease, in the case of microparticles, in overcoming gravity. This feature facilitates the study of suspensions or surface layers, for example, in systems comprising micron or nanometer sized particles. The distinct advantage of the nanoscale, in this respect, is nonetheless offset against much more ...