Nanomanipulation Using Silicon Photonic Crystal Resonators

Abstract

Optical tweezers have enabled a number of microscale processes such as single cell handling, flow-cytometry, directed assembly, and optical chromatography. To extend this functionality to the nanoscale, a number of near-field approaches have been developed that yield much higher optical forces by confining light to subwavelength volumes. At present, these techniques are limited in both the complexity and precision with which handling can be performed. Here, we present a new class of nanoscale optical trap exploiting optical resonance in one-dimensional silicon photonic crystals. The trapping of 48 nm and 62 nm dielectric nanoparticles is demonstrated along with the ability to transport, trap, and manipulate larger nanoparticles by simultaneously exploiting the propagating nature of the light in a coupling waveguide and its stationary nature within the resonator. Field amplification within the resonator is shown to produce a trap several orders of magnitude stronger than conventional tweezers and an order of magnitude stiffer than other near-field techniques. Our approach lays the groundwork for a new class of optical trapping platforms that could eventually enable complex all-optical single molecule manipulation and directed assembly of nanoscale material.

Single particle detection, manipulation and analysis with resonant optical trapping in photonic crystals

“…[8][9][10][11][12] There have been many applications predominantly exploiting the evanescent field of an optical mode in waveguides and in cavities. [13][14][15] The major limitation of these approaches lies in the fact that the overlap of the optical field on the particle is minimal, requiring the use of very large input powers. An ideal integrated optical trap would make use of ultralow trapping powers, be able to keep the particle suspended away from any surface, be exclusive 16 and be particle specific.…”

Trapping and rotating nanoparticles using a plasmonic nano-tweezer with an integrated heat sink

“…Compared with photonic structures [16][17][18] , plasmonic devices have the advantages that field enhancement is achieved over a broad range of wavelengths, and using simple free space coupling. The heating associated with plasmon excitation, however, can have substantial effects.…”

Tapered nanofiber trapping of high-refractive-index nanoparticles

“…Unfortunately, the diffraction limit of light and the precipitous scaling of trap strength with probe size limit the ability of optical tweezers to meet these challenges 6 . Sub-diffraction limited trapping has been achieved in systems such as slot waveguides 6 , plasmonic nanotweezers 15 and optical microresonators 4,16,17 . In such systems, near-field effects led to stronger forces without the need for large optical power.…”