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Fabrication of Polymer Microspheres for Optical Resonator and Laser Applications
Published on: June 2, 2017
Observation of microsphere movement driven by optical pulse: comment.
1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. tomaz.pozar@fs.uni‐lj.si
Optics Letters
|March 2, 2012
Summary
Laser propulsion of glass microspheres is not solely due to radiation pressure. Mass recoil from dielectric breakdown is the likely primary mechanism driving microsphere velocity.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Investigating fiber-delivered, pulsed laser propulsion of glass microspheres.
- Analyzing the limitations of radiation pressure in explaining observed velocities.
Discussion:
- Radiation pressure alone is insufficient to account for the maximum measured velocities.
- Dielectric breakdown near the microsphere surface is proposed as the dominant momentum transfer mechanism.
Key Insights:
- Mass recoil, following dielectric breakdown, is identified as the primary driver of microsphere propulsion.
- Revises understanding of laser-induced propulsion mechanisms for microparticles.
Outlook:
- Further experimental validation of dielectric breakdown as the key mechanism.
- Potential applications in micro-manipulation and laser-driven micro-propulsion systems.
