Theory of optical forces on small particles by multiple plane waves

TL;DR

This paper provides an analytical framework for controlling optical forces on small particles using multiple plane waves, enabling precise manipulation such as pulling, pushing, and lateral forces.

Contribution

It introduces explicit analytical expressions for optical forces on isotropic particles under superposed plane wave illumination, including quadrupolar effects, and demonstrates full force control with two tilted plane waves.

Findings

Analytical expressions for optical forces up to quadrupolar polarizabilities.

Full control of optical forces using two tilted plane waves.

Potential applications in precise particle manipulation.

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the optical force exerted on an isotropic particle illuminated by a superposition of plane waves. We derive explicit analytical expressions for the exerted force up to quadrupolar polarizabilities. Based on these analytical expressions, we demonstrate that an illumination consisting of two tilted plane waves can provide a full control on the optical force. In particular, optical pulling, pushing and lateral forces can be obtained by the proper tuning of illumination parameters. Our findings might unlock multiple applications based on a deterministic control of the spatial motion of small particles.