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Optical Measurement Of Microscopic Torques

Nieminen, T. A., Heckenberg, N. R. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2001-01-01) Optical Measurement Of Microscopic Torques. Journal of Modern Optics, 48 3: 405-413.

Document type: Journal Article
Collection: School of Physical Sciences Publications  
 
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Author(s) Nieminen, T. A.
Heckenberg, N. R.
Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H.
Title Optical Measurement Of Microscopic Torques
Journal name Journal of Modern Optics
Publication date 2001-01-01
Volume number 48
Issue number 3
ISBN 0 9702316 0 1
ISSN 0950-0340
Start page 405
End page 413
Total pages 9
Editor(s) P. L. Knight
R. W. Boyd
Place of publication United Kingdom
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Collection year 2001
Language eng
Subject 240400 Optical Physics
C1
780102 Physical sciences
240401 Optics and Opto-electronic Physics
Abstract In recent years there has been an explosive development of interest in the measurement of forces at the microscopic level, such as within living cells, as well as the properties of fluids and suspensions on this scale, using optically trapped particles as probes. The next step would be to measure torques and associated rotational motion. This would allow measurement on very small scales since no translational motion is needed. It could also provide an absolute measurement of the forces holding a stationary non-rotating particle in place. The laser-induced torque acting on an optically trapped microscopic birefringent particle can be used for these measurements. Here we present a new method for simple, robust, accurate, simultaneous measurement of the rotation speed of a laser trapped birefringent particle, and the optical torque acting on it, by measuring the change in angular momentum of the light from passing through the particle. This method does not depend on the size or shape of the particle or the laser beam geometry, nor does it depend on the properties of the surrounding medium. This could allow accurate measurement of viscosity on a microscopic scale.
Keyword(s) optical tweezers
micromanipulation
Membrane
Tweezers
 
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http://www.arxiv.org/abs/physics/0308103  
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http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/tf/09500340.html  
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Created: Thu, 11 Mar 2004, 10:00:00 EST by Timo Nieminen on behalf of School of Mathematics & Physics. Detailed History