In-plane subwavelength optical capsule for lab-on-a-chip nano-tweezers

In this Letter, we propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, proof-of-concept of optical nano-tweezers based on a pair of dielectric rectangular structures that are capable of generating a finite-volume in-plane optical capsule. Finite-difference time-domain simulations of light spatial distributions and optical trapping forces of a gold nanoparticle immersed in water demonstrate the physical concept of an in-plane subwavelength optical capsule integrated with a microfluidic mesoscale device. It is shown that the refractive index of and the distance between the two dielectric rectangular structures can effectively control the shape and axial position of the optical capsule. Such an in-plane mesoscale structure provides a new path for manipulating absorbing nano-particles or bio-particles in a compact planar architecture, and should thus lead to promising perspectives in lab-on-a-chip domains.