Related papers: Optical gradient force nano-imaging and -spectrosc…
We investigate nanoscale friction in [LaMnO3]m/[SrMnO3]n superlattice films using lateral force microscopy, focusing on the effects of fluorine doping and top-layer thickness. For all samples, friction forces scale linearly with the sum of…
Two approaches (micro- and macro- investigations) are used to determine the dimension dependences of the optical parameters of the nanometer-scale layers of materials. It is shown that both an index of refraction and coefficient of…
Emerging applications in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) made from two-dimensional (2D) materials demand simultaneous imaging and selective actuation of the mechanical modes. Focused optical probes to measure and actuate motion offer a…
Scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) is a powerful technique for mid-infrared spectroscopy at nanometer length scales. By investigating objects in aqueous environments through ultrathin membranes, s-SNOM has recently…
We put forward a theory on the optical force exerted upon a dipolar particle by a stationary and ergodic partially coherent light field. We show through a rigorous analysis that the ensemble averaged electromagnetic force is given in terms…
Opto-electronic devices utilizing graphene have already demonstrated unique capabilities, which are much more difficult to realize with conventional technologies. However, the requirements in terms of material quality and uniformity are…
In a canonical optomechanical system, mechanical vibrations are dynamically encoded on an optical probe field which reciprocally exerts a backaction force. Due to the weak single photon coupling strength achieved with macroscopic…
Optically coupled nanoparticles suffer the action of multiple electromagnetic forces when they are illuminated by light. In general, two kinds of forces are commonly assumed: binding forces that make them attract/repel each other and…
A recent study of the photonic coupling between metallic nanowires has revealed new degrees of freedom in the system. Unexpected spin torques were induced on dimers when illuminated with linearly polarized plane-waves. As near-field…
We provide a computational method for quickly determining the correct distribution of optically active nanoparticles for a desired response. This is achieved by simulating the optical response of single nanoparticles and performing a…
Single-mode optical nanofibres are a central component of a broad range of applications and emerging technologies. Their fabrication has been extensively studied over the past decade, but imaging of the final sub-micrometre products has…
The study of nanostructured artificial media for optics has expanded rapidly over the last few decades, coupled with improvements of fabrication technology that have enabled investigation of previously unrealisable optical scattering…
The recoil optical force that acts on emitters near a surface or waveguide relies on near-field directionality and conservation of momentum. It features desirable properties uncommon in optical forces, such as the ability to produce it via…
Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) has become an essential tool to study polaritons - quasiparticles of light coupled to collective charge oscillations - via direct probing of their near field with a spatial…
Imaging of the optical properties of individual nanosystems beyond fluorescence can provide a wealth of information. However, the minute signals for absorption and dispersion are challenging to observe, and only specialized techniques…
We have carried out time--domain electrostatic force spectroscopy on two different ion conducting glasses using an atomic force microscope. We compare the electrostatic force spectroscopic data obtained at different temperatures with…
Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum provide a highly sensitive platform for probing weak light-matter interactions. In this work, we present an interference-based method to amplify the optical force exerted by a weak field on a…
Nanostructured dielectric metasurfaces offer unprecedented opportunities to control light-matter momentum exchange, and thereby the forces and torques that light can exert on matter. Here we introduce optical metasurfaces as components of…
Electric field enhancement mediated through sharp tips in scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) enables optical material analysis down to the 10-nm length scale, and even below. Nevertheless, mostly the…
Optical trapping, where microscopic particles are trapped and manipulated by light is a powerful and widespread technique, with the single-beam gradient trap (also known as optical tweezers) in use for a large number of biological and other…