Characterization of single nanoparticles
Date
2016-07-20
Authors
Jones, Steven
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Optical trapping is a method which uses focused laser light to manipulate small objects. This optical manipulation can be scaled below the diffraction limit by using interactions between light and apertures in a metal film to localize electric fields. This method can trap objects as small as several nanometers. The ability to determine the properties of a trapped nanoparticle is among the most pressing issues to the utilization of this method to a broader range of research and industrial applications. Presented here are two methods which demonstrate the ability to determine the properties of a trapped nanoparticle.
The first method incorporates Raman spectroscopy into a trapping setup to obtain single particle identification. Raman spectroscopy provides a way to uniquely identify an object based on the light it scatters. Because Raman scattering is an intrinsically weak process, it has been difficult to obtain single particle sensitivity. Using localized electric fields at the trapping aperture, the Raman integrated trapping setup greatly enhances the optical interaction with the trapped particle enabling the required sensitivity. In this work, the trapping and identification of 20 nm titania and polystyrene nanoparticles is demonstrated.
The second method uses an aperture assisted optical trap to detect the response of a magnetite nanoparticle to a varying applied magnetic field. This information is then used to determine the magnetic susceptibility, remanence, refractive index, and size distribution of the trapped particle.
Description
Keywords
Raman Spectroscopy, Optical Trapping with Magnetic Field, Nanoparticle, Nanoparticle Characterization, Optical Trapping, Aperture Assisted Optical Trapping