Tunable plasmonic force switch based on graphene nano-ring resonator for nanomanipulation.

Area of Science:

• Plasmonics
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Graphene-based plasmonic devices offer unique optical properties for nanoscale manipulation.
• Optophoresis systems are crucial for controlling and sorting micro/nanoparticles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and simulate an efficient, switchable lab-on-a-chip optophoresis system using plasmonic graphene.
• To demonstrate selective nanoparticle trapping and release via controlled plasmonic forces.

Main Methods:

• Utilized finite difference time domain (FDTD) numerical simulations.
• Designed a coupled plasmonic graphene ring resonator and waveguide structure.
• Investigated the effect of chemical potential tuning on resonance conditions.

Main Results:

• Achieved selective nanoparticle trapping by maintaining an on-resonance condition.
• Demonstrated particle release by switching to an off-resonance condition via chemical potential change.
• Reported a plasmonic switch ON/OFF ratio of -15.519 dB.

Conclusions:

• The designed plasmonic graphene system functions as an efficient, switchable optophoresis device.
• The system can trap, sort, control, and separate polystyrene nanoparticles down to 22 nm.
• This technology holds promise for advanced lab-on-a-chip applications in particle manipulation.