Numerical modeling of optical gradient traps using the vector finite element method

Journal Article · Mon Mar 20 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Journal of Computational Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcph.2000.6422· OSTI ID:20020798

White, D A

It has been established that under certain conditions microscopic dielectric objects can be trapped by a tightly focused laser beam. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as an optical gradient trap. The recently developed vector finite element method is used to visualize the interaction of the laser beam with the dielectric object and to quantitatively predict the optical trapping efficiency. The vector finite element method is an accurate and efficient approach when the incident beam wavelength is comparable to the object size, and it has the advantage that it can be used to model the trapping of arbitrarily shaped 3D objects.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 20020798
• Journal Information: Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 159, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: 20 Mar 2000; ISSN 0021-9991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
LASER RADIATION
RADIATION PRESSURE
TRAPS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS