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Active Motion of a Janus Particle by Self-Thermophoresis in a Defocused Laser Beam

Hong-Ren Jiang, Natsuhiko Yoshinaga, and Masaki Sano
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 268302 – Published 20 December 2010
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Abstract

We study self-propulsion of a half-metal coated colloidal particle under laser irradiation. The motion is caused by self-thermophoresis: i.e., absorption of a laser at the metal-coated side of the particle creates local temperature gradient which in turn drives the particle by thermophoresis. To clarify the mechanism, temperature distribution and a thermal slip flow field around a microscale Janus particle are measured for the first time. With measured temperature drop across the particle, the speed of self-propulsion is corroborated with the prediction based on accessible parameters. As an application for driving a micromachine, a microrotor is demonstrated.

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  • Received 11 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.268302

© 2010 The American Physical Society

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Debut of a hot “fantastic voyager”

Published 20 December 2010

A temperature effect could allow us to dynamically change the stochastic behavior of certain colloidal particles.

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Authors & Affiliations

Hong-Ren Jiang1, Natsuhiko Yoshinaga2, and Masaki Sano1

  • 1Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
  • 2Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 26 — 31 December 2010

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