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Title: Three-dimensional light trap for reflective particles

Abstract

A system is disclosed for containing either a reflective particle or a particle having an index of refraction lower than that of the surrounding media in a three-dimensional light cage. A light beam from a single source illuminates an optics system and generates a set of at least three discrete focused beams that emanate from a single exit aperture and focus on to a focal plane located close to the particle. The set of focal spots defines a ring that surrounds the particle. The set of focused beams creates a ``light cage`` and circumscribes a zone of no light within which the particle lies. The surrounding beams apply constraining forces (created by radiation pressure) to the particle, thereby containing it in a three-dimensional force field trap. A diffractive element, such as an aperture multiplexed lens, or either a Dammann grating or phase element in combination with a focusing lens, may be used to generate the beams. A zoom lens may be used to adjust the size of the light cage, permitting particles of various sizes to be captured and contained. 10 figs.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
678601
Patent Number(s):
5939716
Application Number:
PAN: 8-832,144
Assignee:
Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 17 Aug 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
44 INSTRUMENTATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS; VISIBLE RADIATION; REFLECTIVITY; OPTICAL SYSTEMS; RADIATION PRESSURE; PARTICLES; LIGHT SOURCES; CONTAINMENT

Citation Formats

Neal, D R. Three-dimensional light trap for reflective particles. United States: N. p., 1999. Web.
Neal, D R. Three-dimensional light trap for reflective particles. United States.
Neal, D R. Tue . "Three-dimensional light trap for reflective particles". United States.
@article{osti_678601,
title = {Three-dimensional light trap for reflective particles},
author = {Neal, D R},
abstractNote = {A system is disclosed for containing either a reflective particle or a particle having an index of refraction lower than that of the surrounding media in a three-dimensional light cage. A light beam from a single source illuminates an optics system and generates a set of at least three discrete focused beams that emanate from a single exit aperture and focus on to a focal plane located close to the particle. The set of focal spots defines a ring that surrounds the particle. The set of focused beams creates a ``light cage`` and circumscribes a zone of no light within which the particle lies. The surrounding beams apply constraining forces (created by radiation pressure) to the particle, thereby containing it in a three-dimensional force field trap. A diffractive element, such as an aperture multiplexed lens, or either a Dammann grating or phase element in combination with a focusing lens, may be used to generate the beams. A zoom lens may be used to adjust the size of the light cage, permitting particles of various sizes to be captured and contained. 10 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1999},
month = {8}
}

Patent:
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