Abstract
The integration of surface plasmon with waveguide is a strategy for lab-on-a-chip compatible optical trapping. Here, we report a method for trapping of nanoparticles using a silver nanowire (AgNW) embedded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofiber with the assistance of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). The nanoparticles (polystyrene, 700 nm diameter) are transported along the nanofiber and ultimately trapped at the AgNW embedded region because of the enhanced optical gradient force towards the nanofiber exerted on the nanoparticles and optical potential well generated by the excitation of SPPs. The low optical power requirement and the easy fabrication of the AgNW-embedded nanofiber with broad range of wavelength for SPPs are advantageous to the applications in optofluidics and plasmofluidics.
Highlights
Optical trapping techniques have been extensively developed as powerful tools for optical manipulation of micro-/nanoparticles with a broad range of applications such as chemical analysis[1], optical sorting[2] and biophotonic waveguides[3]
The AgNW-embedded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofiber was immersed in the suspension with a 100 nm gap between the nanofiber and the glass slide using two carriers
The evanescent field propagating outside the nanofiber will produce an optical gradient force Fg in y direction, and draw the nanoparticles nearby towards the nanofiber surface
Summary
Optical trapping techniques have been extensively developed as powerful tools for optical manipulation of micro-/nanoparticles with a broad range of applications such as chemical analysis[1], optical sorting[2] and biophotonic waveguides[3]. Gold stripe fabricated on the surface of Kretschmann prisms has been used to trap dielectric nanoparticles[14], with the assistance of SPPs excited by the evanescent field outside the prism. It has been demonstrated that gold nanospheres transported along an optical fiber can be accelerated by depositing gold nanoparticles on the surface of the optical fiber, owing to the LSPs supported by the gold nanoparticles[16] These methods need complicated processes (e.g. electron-beam lithography) to integrate the metal structures with the photonic devices and the metal structures may be polluted due to the exposure to the circumstance. The thermal effect caused by the absorption of light by the AgNW is extremely small, which is beneficial for the plasmonic trapping
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
