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Parameter exploration of optically trapped liquid aerosols.

D R Burnham¹, P J Reece, D McGloin

¹SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, Fife KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|January 15, 2011

Summary

Inertia is crucial for microsecond optical trapping of aerosol particles in low-viscosity media. A simple harmonic oscillator model, including Faxén

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Area of Science:

Optical trapping
Brownian motion
Aerosol science

Background:

Inertia significantly impacts optically trapped particles in low-viscosity media on microsecond timescales.
Standard colloidal trapping experiments often neglect inertia, limiting observations of unique behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the Brownian motion of optically trapped liquid aerosol droplets.
To analyze system dynamics around the critically damped regime using power-spectral methods.
To determine the suitability of a simple harmonic oscillator model for describing aerosol particle motion.

Main Methods:

Power-spectral analysis was employed to study Brownian motion.
Parameter studies were conducted on optically trapped liquid aerosol droplets.

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The system was modeled as a simple harmonic oscillator, incorporating Faxén's correction.

Main Results:

The simple harmonic oscillator model, with Faxén's correction, adequately describes the system's behavior.
Hydrodynamic corrections to Stokes' law are not necessarily required.
Experimental control over trap stiffness and damping allows transitions between over- and underdamped motion.

Conclusions:

Stable aerosol trapping is achievable in underdamped conditions.
High trapping powers introduce optical forces that limit the exploration of upper stability limits.
Decoupling parameters influencing observed behavior presents experimental challenges.