Integrating the optical tweezers and spanner onto an individual single-layer metasurface

Optical tweezers (OTs) and optical spanners (OSs) are powerful tools of optical manipulation, which are responsible for particle trapping and rotation, respectively. Conventionally, the OT and OS are built using bulky three-dimensional devices, such as microscope objectives and spatial light modulators. Recently, metasurfaces are proposed for setting up them on a microscale platform, which greatly miniaturizes the systems. However, the realization of both OT and OS with one identical metasurface is posing a challenge. Here, we offer a metasurface-based solution to integrate the OT and OS. Using the prevailing approach based on geometric and dynamic phases, we show that it is possible to construct an output field, which promises a high-numerical-aperture focal spot, accompanied with a coaxial vortex. Optical trapping and rotation are numerically demonstrated by estimating the mechanical effects on a particle probe. Moreover, we demonstrate an on-demand control of the OT-to-OS distance and the topological charge possessed by the OS. By revealing the OT-OS metasurfaces, our results may empower advanced applications in on-chip particle manipulation. (C) 2021 Chinese Laser Press

Automated summary

This study presents a metasurface-based solution to integrate OT and OS on a microscale platform. By using the prevailing approach based on geometric and dynamic phases, it is shown that it is possible to construct an output field with a high-numerical-aperture focal spot and a coaxial vortex. The optical trapping and rotation are numerically demonstrated, and on-demand control of the OT-to-OS distance and the topological charge possessed by the OS is also shown. The results may enable advanced applications in on-chip particle manipulation.