Optical Trapping Force and Sensing Detection Research Based on
Optical Fiber Shapes and Transmission Modes
Hongmei Jiang
1
, Yan Liang
2
, Pengfei Cao
1,
*, Qunfeng Shao
1
, Qingqing Meng
3
1
School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000,China;
2
Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016, China
3
Troops 68036, PLA, Guilin 541007, China
*Corresponding author: caopf@lzu.edu.cn
ABSTRACT
We consider the relationships between the optical trapping force of fiber optical tweezers and the different optical fiber
modes and shapes. It is well known that the different optical fiber transmission modes and shapes can bring great
influence to the light transmission. We calculate the radiation field of each model in the circle waveguide by using
Huygens Fresnel principle. Then, based on the Maxwell Stress Tensor Integral, we can calculate the optical trapping
force by using these radiation fields. Through the calculation and simulation, we explain the reason that the optical
trapping force of fundamental mode is greater than the high modes in the case of having same shape of exit end face of a
waveguide. At the same time, we explore the relationship between the optical trapping force and the fiber taper angles
both in the fundamental mode and high modes. And we can obtain the maximum value of optical trapping force by
optimizing the fiber taper angle. Optical fiber waveguides have the potential for integration of several functions
including the sensing detection. Our results paved the road for utilizing the optical fiber waveguides in nano optical
devices, optical trapping, and sensing.
Keywords: Optical trapping force; optical fiber shape; Fundamental mode and high modes; Huygens Fresnel principle;
Maxwell stress tensor.
1. INTRODUCTION
Since first demonstrated by Ashkin in 1986
[1]
, optical tweezers (a single-beam gradient force trap) has been widely used
in biology, physics and chemistry. Applications now range from manipulation of cells to the assembly of microstructure.
Especially in biology, optical tweezers has been applied in researches on cells, viruses, bacteria and DNA molecules.
Usually a high N.A. microscope objective is necessary to focus the laser beam in traditional optical tweezers, which is
the disadvantage of this method for user is not convenient and easy. For this purpose,fiber optical tweezers has been
developed since 1993
[2]
. Optical waveguides provide an efficient method for on-chip particle manipulation
[3-15]
. Whereas
optical tweezers can manipulate particles freely in three dimensions, optical waveguides are restricted to moving
particles along their propagation direction following their photolithographically predefined pattern. It has been
demonstrated that waveguides can propel a range of particles, e.g. microparticles
[3-7]
, cells
[8-9]
, nano particles
[10, 15]
,
nanorods
[11]
and viruses
[12]
. Optical waveguides offer a set of optical functions that, due to their planar configuration, can
readily be combined with microfluidics and other non-optical functions on a chip. They thus offer a considerable scope
for integration that optical tweezers cannot match.
Particles interacting with the evanescent field an optical waveguide are pulled down to the waveguide surface by the
strong gradient of the evanescent field, and radiation pressure propels these particles forward along the waveguide
surface. In addition to propulsion, it is imperative to have a method to stably hold the particle at a fixed position, e.g. for
observation, analysis or interaction with other particles. Counter-propagating beams in a waveguide have been used to
stop particles
[13]
, but with limited precision and with weak trapping along the waveguide. Dual waveguide geometry
[14, 16]
has been recently proposed. However, the different optical fiber shapes and transmission modes can bring great influence
to the light transmission.
Here, we consider the relationships between the optical trapping force of fiber optical tweezers and the different optical
fiber modes and shapes. Through the calculation and simulation, we find the optical trapping force of fundamental mode
is greater than the high modes in the case of having same shape of exit end face of a waveguide and explain the reason.
At the same time, we explore the relationship between the optical trapping force and the fiber taper angles both in the
fundamental mode and high modes. And we can obtain the maximum value of optical trapping force by optimizing the
fiber taper angles. Optical fiber waveguides have the potential for integration of several functions including the sensing
Proc. of SPIE Vol. 9283, 928310 · © 2014 SPIE · CCC code: 0277-786X/14/$18 · doi: 10.1117/12.2070692
Proc. of SPIE Vol. 9283 928310-1