Paul trapping of charged particles in aqueous solution

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1100977108· OSTI ID:1037068

Guan, Weihau ^[1]; Reed, Mark A ^[1]; Joseph, Sony nmn ^[2]; Park, Jae Hyun nmn ^[2]; Krstic, Predrag ^[2]

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1. Yale University
2. ORNL

We experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of an aqueous Paul trap using a proof-of-principle planar device. Radio frequency voltages are used to generate an alternating focusing/defocusing potential well in two orthogonal directions. Individual charged particles are dynamically confined into nanometer scale in space. Compared with conventional Paul traps working in frictionless vacuum, the aqueous environment associated with damping forces and thermally induced fluctuations (Brownian noise) exerts a fundamental influence on the underlying physics. We investigate the impact of these two effects on the confining dynamics, with the aim to reduce the rms value of the positional fluctuations. We find that the rms fluctuations can be modulated by adjusting the voltages and frequencies. This technique provides an alternative for the localization and control of charged particles in an aqueous environment.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1037068
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 108, Issue 23; ISSN 0027-8424
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DAMPING
FLUCTUATIONS
PHYSICS
TRAPPING