Direct measurements of forces induced by Bloch surface waves in a one-dimensional photonic crystal

An experimental study of the interaction between a single dielectric microparticle and the evanescent field of the Bloch surface wave in a one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal is reported. The Bloch surface wave-induced forces on a 1 μm polystyrene sphere were measured by photonic force microscopy. The results demonstrate the potential of 1D photonic crystals for the optical manipulation of microparticles and suggest a novel approach for utilizing light in lab-on-a-chip devices.