Ring-shaped optical trap based on an acousto-optic tunable spatial filter

Opt Lett. 2021 Sep 15;46(18):4494-4497. doi: 10.1364/OL.435485.

Abstract

We report on a novel, to the best of our knowledge, optical scheme of an annular optical trap based on an acousto-optic tunable spatial filter. Design of the optical trap is proposed and validated. Experimental demonstration with polystyrene microspheres includes controllable arrangement of freely floating particles into a circular pattern, aggregation, and disaggregation of the particles. Dynamical adjustment of the trapping field potential diameter is achieved by programmable frequency-swept controlling of the acousto-optic filter.