Brownian Colloids in Optothermal Field: An Experimental Perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental studies on how optothermal fields influence the assembly and dynamics of Brownian colloids, highlighting recent advances and future prospects in soft matter physics and photonics.

Contribution

It provides an experimental perspective on optothermal effects on colloidal matter, expanding understanding of light-driven colloidal assembly and dynamics.

Findings

Optothermal fields can control colloidal assembly.

Optical excitation influences colloidal dynamics.

New experimental insights into light-matter interactions in soft matter.

Abstract

Colloidal matter undergoing Brownian motion serves as a model system to study various physical phenomena. Understanding the effect of external perturbation on the assembly and dynamics of Brownian colloids has emerged as a relevant research issue in soft matter and biological physics. Optical perturbation in the form of photonic forces and torques has added impetus to this exploration. In recent years, optothermal effects arising due to optical excitation of mesoscale matter have expanded the toolbox of light-colloidal matter interactions. In this perspective, we present an experimental viewpoint on some of the developments related to the assembly and dynamics of Brownian colloids driven by the optothermal field. Furthermore, we discuss some interesting prospects on driven colloidal matter that can have implications on soft matter physics and soft photonics.