Nano Optical Conveyor Belt

本研究的目的是展示一种纳米光学传送带的工作原型，用于在毫米距离上传输~100 nm的纳米颗粒。工程金属纳米结构支持强近场，可以捕获真正的纳米级物体，如病毒和单个分子。数值计算表明，由三个波长依次照射的c型孔径链，可以用比传统光学捕获所需的功率小得多的功率沿其长度蠕动传输纳米颗粒。工作将以电磁、扩散和流体模拟为指导。候选纳米结构的相对优点将通过纳米球的数值和实验室实验来确定。智力优势布朗运动、折射动量传递和辐射压力、对流和热泳运动的竞争效应尚未与本工作所需的不对称等离子体结构结合研究。这项工作在光学领域开辟了新的理论和实验领域，并支持新一代大规模平行生物分子研究。更广泛的影响纳米光学传送带是大分子操作和芯片实验室设备的使能技术。一个能够识别单个分子的设备必须有一个吸收和保持分子的机制，因此这项工作是基础生物分子研究的“胶水技术”。由这种纳米操作工具实现的紧凑型病原体检测系统对国土安全越来越重要。这个项目将包括高中和本科生的研究助理，并整合到我们的远程实验室框架中，以接触到世界各地的学生。

ObjectiveThe objective of this research is to demonstrate a working prototype of a nano-optical conveyor belt for transport of ~100 nm nanoparticles over millimeter distances. Engineered metallic nanostructures support intense near fields that can trap truly nanoscopic objects such as viruses and single molecules. Numerical calculations indicate that a chain of alternating size C-shaped apertures, irradiated in turn by three wavelengths, can peristaltically transport nanoparticles along its length using substantially less power than is required for conventional optical trapping. Work will be guided by electromagnetic, diffusion and fluidic simulations. Relative merits of candidate nanostructures will be determined through numerical and laboratory experiments with nanospheres.Intellectual MeritThe competing effects of Brownian motion, refractive momentum transfer and radiation pressure, convection currents and thermophoresis have not been studied in conjunction with asymmetrical plasmonic structures as will be required for this work. This work opens new theoretical and experimental territory in optics and supports a new generation of massively parallel biomolecule research.Broader ImpactsThe nano optical conveyor belt is an enabling technology for macromolecular manipulation and lab-on-a-chip devices. A device which can identify single molecules must have a mechanism for drawing in and holding the molecule, and as such this work is a "glue technology" for fundamental biomolecular research. Compact pathogen detection systems enabled by such nano-manipulation tools are increasingly important for homeland security. This project will incorporate high school and undergraduate research assistants, and be integrated into our remote laboratory framework to reach students worldwide.