The effect of relative refractive index on monosized particle movement under laser radiation pressure

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the fundamental characteristics of particle movement under laser radiation pressure from the viewpoint of particle separation. In this study, the radiation pressure exerted on a spherical particle was calculated by using a simple geometrical optics model and the simulation of particle movement in a laser beam was performed. Further, the movement of particles under the laser radiation pressure was experimentally observed to confirm the accuracy of simulation. As a result, it was possible to simulate particle movement with the two-dimensional equations of motion by considering radiation pressure, viscous drag, gravity, and buoyancy as the forces acting on a particle. The possibility of particle separation according to the refractive index was suggested since the difference in laser radiation pressure was large enough to discriminate the particles.