Dipole and multipole models of dielectrophoresis for a non-negligible particle size: Simulations and experiments

Mathematical models of dielectrophoresis play an important role in the design of experiments, analysis of results, and even operation of some devices. In this paper, we test the accuracy of existing models in both simulations and laboratory experiments. We test the accuracy of the most common model that involves a point-dipole approximation of the induced field, when the small-particle assumption is broken. In simulations, comparisons against a model based on the Maxwell stress tensor show that even the point-dipole approximation provides good results for a large particle close to the electrodes. In addition, we study a refinement of the model offered by multipole approximations (quadrupole, and octupole). We also show that the voltages on the electrodes influence the error of the model because they affect the positions of the field nulls and the nulls of the higher-order derivatives. Experiments with a parallel electrode array and a polystyrene microbead reveal that the models predict the force with an error that cannot be eliminated even with the most accurate model. Nonetheless, it is acceptable for some purposes such as a model-based control system design.