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Potential Due to a Polarized Object

Potential Due to a Polarized Object

A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...

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When placed in an external electric field, a dielectric material gets polarized. The charge density in the dielectric material is given by the sum of the bound and free charge densities, while the total charge density can also be written in terms of the total electric field. The bound charge density can be measured in terms of polarization, leading to the relationship between electric displacement and polarization.

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The presence of a dielectric medium in a capacitor not only changes the voltage and capacitance but also affects the electric field. In general, dielectrics can be of two types: polar and nonpolar. In a polar dielectric, the positive and negative charges in the molecules are separated by a distance and hence have a permanent dipole moment. In contrast, no such charge separation exists in a nonpolar dielectric, however the nonpolar molecules get polarized in the presence of an external electric...

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Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.Polar molecules have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end of the molecule,...

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A permanent electric dipole orients itself along an external electric field. This rotation can be quantified by defining the potential energy because the external torque does work in rotating it. Then, the potential energy is minimum at the parallel configuration and maximum at the antiparallel configuration. While the former is a stable equilibrium, the latter is an unstable equilibrium.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Optical Trap Loading of Dielectric Microparticles In Air

Optical Trap Loading of Dielectric Microparticles In Air

Published on: February 5, 2017

Optical binding between dielectric particles.

Samarendra Mohanty, Joseph Andrews, Pradeep Gupta

|May 29, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers observed optical binding between tiny dielectric particles. The particle separation, influenced by light polarization, matched theoretical predictions for Rayleigh particles.

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Optical Trap Loading of Dielectric Microparticles In Air

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Area of Science:

Optics
Nanotechnology
Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

Optical binding is a phenomenon where particles are held together by light.
Previous theories predicted specific behaviors for sub-wavelength particles.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally observe and verify optical binding between sub-wavelength dielectric particles.
To investigate the influence of light polarization on the separation of optically bound particles.

Main Methods:

Utilizing optical tweezers to trap and manipulate dielectric particles smaller than the wavelength of light.
Analyzing the spatial arrangement of bound particles under varying polarization states of the trapping beam.

Main Results:

Successful observation of optical binding between two sub-wavelength dielectric particles.
Demonstrated dependence of particle separation on the polarization of the trapping light.
Experimental results align with theoretical predictions for Rayleigh particles.

Conclusions:

Optical binding is achievable with sub-wavelength dielectric particles.
Light polarization is a critical factor controlling inter-particle separation in optical binding.
The study validates theoretical models for light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.