Statistical Mechanics of Colloidal Particles in Optical Force Fields

光学力场中胶体粒子的统计力学

• 批准号: 1305875
• 负责人: David Grier
• 金额: $ 52万
• 依托单位: New York University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2018-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1305875&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Statistical; Mechanics; Colloidal; Particles; Optical

****Technical Abstract****This project will use a combination of experimental observations and theoretical investigations to elucidate the properties of Brownian vortexes, a newly discovered category of stochastic machines that use random thermal forces to transduce energy into motion. Whereas conventional deterministic machines waste energy punching through fluctuations, stochastic machines instead take advantage of random forces to work through their thermodynamic cycles. Unlike other stochastic machines, Brownian vortexes evolve in static force fields that combine conservative traps and non-conservative driving forces. Analogs of such systems are believed to occur in biochemical, social and financial networks. Developing a fundamental understanding of how Brownian vortexes work will provide doctoral dissertations for two graduate students and honors theses for four undergraduate Physics majors. This experimental program already has fostered the development of the first practical tractor beams and the first knotted force fields, both of which also have immediate real-world applications.****Non-Technical Abstract****Much of our nation's technology is based on combinations of elementary machines, such as wheels, levers and screws. This project will elucidate the properties of a new type of elementary machine called a Brownian vortex that uses random thermal noise to transform energy into motion. The program's fundamental goals are to develop a deep physical understanding of how Brownian vortexes work and how to recognize and characterize them when they arise naturally in complex systems. This program will provide doctoral disserations for two graduate students and honors theses for four undergraduate Physics majors. The experiments on which these students will work take advantage of state-of-the-art techniques of optical micromanipulation, in which the forces and torques exerted by computer-designed holograms are used to create and drive microscopic machines both to advance fundamental knowledge and also for practical applications.

****技术摘要****本项目将结合实验观察和理论研究来阐明布朗涡旋的性质，布朗涡旋是一种新发现的随机机器，它利用随机热力将能量转化为运动。传统的确定性机器在波动中浪费能量，而随机机器则利用随机力来完成它们的热力学循环。与其他随机机器不同，布朗涡旋在静态力场中演化，静态力场结合了保守陷阱和非保守驱动力。类似的系统被认为存在于生物化学、社会和金融网络中。培养对布朗涡如何工作的基本理解将为两名研究生提供博士论文，为四名物理学本科专业的学生提供荣誉论文。这个实验项目已经促进了第一个实用牵引光束和第一个结力场的发展，这两个都有直接的现实应用。****非技术摘要****我国的许多技术都是基于诸如轮子、杠杆和螺丝等基本机械的组合。这个项目将阐明一种称为布朗涡旋的新型基本机器的特性，它利用随机热噪声将能量转化为运动。该项目的基本目标是深入了解布朗涡旋是如何工作的，以及当它们在复杂系统中自然出现时如何识别和表征它们。本项目将为2名研究生提供博士学位论文，为4名物理专业本科生提供荣誉学位论文。这些学生将在实验中利用最先进的光学显微操作技术，利用计算机设计的全息图施加的力和扭矩来创建和驱动显微机器，以推进基础知识和实际应用。