Influence of Nonconservative Optical Forces on the Dynamics of Optically Trapped Colloidal Spheres: The Fountain of Probability

Yohai Roichman, Bo Sun, Allan Stolarski, and David G. Grier
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 128301 – Published 16 September 2008
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Abstract

We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically that a colloidal sphere trapped in a static optical tweezer does not come to equilibrium, but rather reaches a steady state in which its probability flux traces out a toroidal vortex. This nonequilibrium behavior can be ascribed to a subtle bias of thermal fluctuations by nonconservative optical forces. The circulating sphere therefore acts as a Brownian motor. We briefly discuss ramifications of this effect for studies in which optical tweezers have been treated as potential energy wells.

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  • Received 10 December 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.128301

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Yohai Roichman1, Bo Sun1, Allan Stolarski2, and David G. Grier1

  • 1Department of Physics and Center for Soft Matter Research, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
  • 2NEST+m, New York, New York 10002, USA

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 12 — 19 September 2008

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