Optical trapping
and manipulation techniques have attracted significant
attention in various research fields. Optical forces divided into
two terms, such as a scattering force and gradient one, work to push
forward and attract objects, respectively. This is a typical property
of optical forces. In particular, a tool known as optical tweezers
can be created when a laser beam is converged at a focal point, causing
strong forces to be generated so as to trap and manipulate small objects.
In this study, we propose a novel method to build up assembled structures
of polystyrene particles by using optical trapping techniques. Recording
trajectories of single particles, the optical forces are quantitatively
evaluated using particle tracking velocimetry. Herein, we treat various
particle sizes whose diameters range from 1 to 4 μm and expose
them to a converged laser beam of 1064 nm wavelength. As a result,
both experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement. The
behavior of particles is understood in the framework of Ashkin’s
ray optics. This finding clarifies optical force fields of microparticles
distributed in a slit-like microfluidic channel and will be applicable
for effectively forming ordered structures in liquids.
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