Rare-earth doped optical dimers

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how electromagnetic fields at specific wavelengths can control and cool a rare-earth doped optical dimer made of Yb3+:YAG nanospheres, revealing potential for optical manipulation.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical analysis of optical forces and cooling effects in Yb3+:YAG nanosphere dimers under resonant electromagnetic fields.

Findings

Wavelength 1030 nm can cool the dimer.

Electromagnetic fields can control optical forces.

Resonant wavelengths induce specific electron transitions.

Abstract

The optical forces applied to a rare-earth doped optical dimer made of identical Yb3+:YAG nanospheres placed in the plane electromagnetic field propagating in vacuum has been theoretically considered. The electromagnetic fields at wavelengths 968 nm and 1030 nm have been normally and axially directed to the dimer axis. Wavelengths 968 nm and 1030 nm are resonant with the electron transitions of the Yb3+ ions and can generate the Stokes and anti-Stokes cycles, respectively. It has been shown that the electromagnetic field propagating at wavelength 1030 nm not only can be used to control optical forces applied to the dimer, but can cause cooling of the dimer, which is desirable in a number of applications.