Trapping of Single Nano-Objects in Dynamic Temperature Fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates the behavior of a Brownian particle in a dynamic thermophoretic trap created by a rotating laser beam heating a gold structure, providing theoretical insights and experimental validation for particle confinement.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical stability condition for dynamic thermophoretic trapping and confirms particle trajectories experimentally, advancing micro- and nanofluidic trapping techniques.

Findings

Stable particle confinement depends on laser rotation frequency.

Particle trajectories can be predicted by switching to a rotating frame.

Experimental results confirm theoretical stability conditions.

Abstract

In this article we explore the dynamics of a Brownian particle in a feedback-free dynamic thermophoretic trap. The trap contains a focused laser beam heating a circular gold structure locally and creating a repulsive thermal potential for a Brownian particle. In order to confine a particle the heating beam is steered along the circumference of the gold structure leading to a non-trivial motion of the particle. We theoretically find a stability condition by switching to a rotating frame, where the laser beam is at rest. Particle trajectories and stable points are calculated as a function of the laser rotations frequency and are experimentally confirmed. Additionally, the effect of Brownian motion is considered. The present study complements the dynamic thermophoretic trapping with a theoretical basis and will enhance the applicability in micro- and nanofluidic devices.