A firm grip with lasers: optimizing optical forces for trapping and deformation

该项目将研究用于以非接触方式捕获、保持和操纵微观粒子的光学镊子所涉及的力。我们将探索如何尽可能硬地捕获粒子——既适用于球体，也适用于更复杂的形状，如用于测量表面轮廓的纳米探针。我们也认为这与如何使用光镊控制液滴变形的形状密切相关，并将探索如何最大化液滴表面的变形力的问题。该项目将使用数学和数值技术来探索、理解和预测这些影响，并更好地了解我们如何在微观尺度上控制和操纵物质。在与实验研究人员的合作中，我们的目标是做出可测试的预测，并设计出新的和改进的方法来实现最佳的光捕获和操作。

This project will investigate the forces involved in optical tweezers used to trap, hold and manipulate microscopic particles in a non-contact manner. We will explore how to trap particles as stiffly as possible - both for spheres and for more complex shapes such as nano-probes used to measure a surface profile.We also believe this is closely linked to the question of how to control the shape of liquid droplets deformed using optical tweezers, and will explore the question of how to maximize the deforming forces on the droplet surface.This project will use mathematical and numerical techniques to explore, understand and predict these effects, and gain a better understanding of how we can control and manipulate matter on a microscopic scale. In collaboration with experimental researchers, our goal is to make testable predictions and devise new and improved methods for optimal optical trapping and manipulation.