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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles
13:39

Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles

Published on: January 15, 2013

22.8K

Ballistic supercavitating nanoparticles driven by single Gaussian beam optical pushing and pulling forces.

Eungkyu Lee1, Dezhao Huang1, Tengfei Luo2,3,4

  • 1Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.

Nature Communications
|May 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary

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We achieved record speeds for gold nanoparticle swimmers using light. A laser creates a bubble around the nanoparticle, enabling ultra-fast, frictionless movement and optical pulling for nano-robotics applications.

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Optics
  • Fluid Dynamics

Background:

  • Directed motion of nanoscale objects is crucial for applications like molecular machinery and nanorobotics.
  • Achieving high speeds and controlled movement of nanoparticles in fluids remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report ultra-fast, light-driven motion of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (NPs).
  • To demonstrate optical pushing and pulling forces for nanoparticle manipulation.
  • To achieve unprecedented speeds for nanoscale swimmers.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a single Gaussian laser beam to excite gold nanoparticles at their surface plasmon resonance.
  • Generating a nanoscale bubble around the nanoparticle (supercavitation) for a low-friction environment.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles
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  • Investigating unique nanoparticle-laser interactions to achieve optical pulling forces.

    • Main Results:

    • Achieved unprecedented speeds of approximately 336,000 μm s⁻¹ for gold nanoparticle swimmers.
    • Demonstrated simultaneous optical pushing and pulling forces from a single laser beam.
    • Observed supercavitation enabling near-frictionless nanoparticle movement, akin to the Leidenfrost effect.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed method enables ultra-fast, light-driven nanoparticle propulsion.
    • The findings offer new insights into optical pulling forces and their applications.
    • This technology has potential benefits for nanorobotics, molecular machinery, and material assembly.