Surface plasmon radiation forces

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Jun 16;96(23):238101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.238101. Epub 2006 Jun 13.

Abstract

We report the first experimental observation of momentum transfer from a surface plasmon to a single dielectric sphere. Using a photonic force microscope, we measure the plasmon radiation forces on different polystyrene beads as a function of their distance from the metal surface. We show that the force magnitude at resonance is strongly enhanced compared to a nonresonant illumination. Measurements performed as a function of the probe particle size indicate that optical manipulation by plasmon fields has a strong potential for optical sorting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Energy Transfer / radiation effects
  • Light*
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / radiation effects*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods*