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Optical Magnetic Dipole Levitation Using a Plasmonic Surface
Jack J Kingsley-Smith1, Michela F Picardi1, Francisco J Rodríguez-Fortuño1
1Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom.
Nano Letters
|August 25, 2020
Summary
Researchers demonstrate optical levitation of magnetic dipoles using realistic materials like bulk metals, overcoming previous fabrication challenges. This breakthrough enables new possibilities for nanomechanical devices and light-matter interactions.
Area of Science:
- Optics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Optically induced magnetic resonances enable novel light-matter interactions.
- Previous nanoscale particle levitation methods required complex epsilon-near-zero surfaces or anisotropic materials, posing fabrication challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the optical levitation of a magnetic dipole using realistic materials.
- To overcome the fabrication difficulties associated with previous levitation techniques.
- To propose a method for detecting the optical levitation force.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing optically induced magnetic resonances in nonmagnetic media.
- Employing a core-shell nanoparticle with a magnetic resonance near a gold substrate.
- Illuminating the system with a plane wave.
Main Results:
- Achieved optical levitation of a magnetic dipole over various realistic materials, including bulk metals.
- Demonstrated that the repulsive force is independent of surface losses.
- Proposed a specific experimental setup for detecting the levitation force.
Conclusions:
- Optical levitation of magnetic dipoles is feasible with common materials, simplifying fabrication.
- The phenomenon is robust against surface losses.
- This work paves the way for new nanomechanical devices leveraging optical forces.
