Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pau Guell-Grau, Francesc Pi, Rosa Villa, Josep Nogues, Mar Alvarez, Borja Sepulveda
Summary: The research team developed an ultra-broadband light-absorbing soft metamaterial with angle-independent and high optical absorption, which has wide application potential.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Alexey Porfirev
Summary: A method for active pulling/pushing laser beams for light-absorbing particles in the air is proposed, utilizing cascaded diffractive optical elements to generate first-order Bessel beams. The beams create self-imaging light fields, forming optical bottle beam traps to confine particles inside dark regions. This approach can easily realize optical conveyors for transportation and investigation of dangerous substances, viruses, and living cells in future microdevices.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xianyou Wang, Yunqi Yuan, Xi Xie, Yuquan Zhang, Changjun Min, Xiaocong Yuan
Summary: Since the discovery of graphene, its excellent physical properties have greatly improved the performance of optoelectronic devices. In this study, graphene is introduced to the field of optical-tweezer technology and a new graphene-based opto-thermoelectric tweezer is demonstrated. Compared with traditional optical tweezers, this technology significantly reduces the required incident light energy and offers advantages such as a broader working bandwidth and larger working area. The higher thermal conductivity and uniformity of graphene make it easier to process, and even monolayer graphene provides stable trapping for particles. This work showcases the potential of graphene in optical-tweezer technology and its applications in various fields.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Ashutosh Shukla, Sunny Tiwari, Ayan Majumder, Kasturi Saha, G. V. Pavan Kumar
Summary: This Letter presents a method for optically manipulating fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) in fluids using chemically prepared gold nanoparticles and silver nanowires. The nano-optical trap is achieved by combining the thermoplasmonic fields generated by individual plasmonic nanoparticles and the opto-thermoelectric effect facilitated by the surfactant. The trapping configuration allows for single FND trapping, manipulation, and multimodal imaging inside biological systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nikolai G. Khlebtsov
Summary: This study derives two sets of analytical expressions for extinction, absorption, and scattering cross sections of small particles embedded in an absorbing host, one based on an improved electrostatic approximation and the other on a modification of the electrostatic approximation. The accuracy of the approximations is demonstrated through calculations for Au and Ag nanospheres in different host materials. The near-field scattering cross sections exhibit different scaling behaviors depending on host absorption, with an exception found for small particles where an increase in host absorption enhances the scattering peak.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xi Zhao, Zhifeng He, Wentao Ou, Pengcheng Lin, Yingying Chen, Ying Chen
Summary: Exploiting advanced light-absorbing conjugated polymers is of great significance in achieving low-energy solar steam generation and clean water collection. In this study, a interfacial chemistry strategy is developed to synthesize conjugated polybenzobisthiazole (CP) microspheres with a narrow bandgap and high solar absorbance, which are then used in a solar evaporator to achieve efficient evaporation and energy utilization.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Rfaqat Ali, R. S. Dutra, F. A. Pinheiro, P. A. Maia Neto
Summary: A novel scheme is proposed for all-optical enantioselection and sorting of single multipolar chiral microspheres based on optical pulling forces from two non-collinear, non-structured, circularly polarized light sources. This method allows for external control by varying the angle between incident wavevectors for fine-tuning of chiral indices for enantioselection, achieving all-optical sorting of chiral microspheres with arbitrarily small chiral parameters.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Bu Zhang, Xian-Feng Zhang, Meng Shao, Chun Meng, Feng Ji, Min-Cheng Zhong
Summary: In this paper, an opto-thermal approach is developed to assemble yeast cells dispersed in solution, and the effect of the initial concentration ratio on the assembly pattern is investigated. The results show that the velocity ratio of yeast cells to light absorbing particles is the dominant factor in the area ratio of yeast cells in the binary aggregate.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Svensson, Johan Strom, Henri Honkanen, Eija Asmi, Nathaniel B. Dkhar, Shresth Tayal, Ved P. Sharma, Rakesh Hooda, Matti Lepparanta, Hans-Werner Jacobi, Heikki Lihavainen, Antti Hyvarinen
Summary: Anthropogenic activities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain release large amounts of light-absorbing particles (LAPs) into the atmosphere, affecting the radiation balance and contributing to glacier melt in the nearby Himalayas. A study in the central Himalayas of India found distinct vertical distribution of LAPs in snow pits, with enriched LAP layers and different deposition constants in younger and older snow layers. The presence of LAPs, especially mineral dust, highlights the importance of dust in the region and the potential impact of LAPs on snow cover in the Himalayas.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
P. A. Chate, D. J. Sathe, S. L. Hake
Summary: Nickel selenide thin films were synthesized on amorphous templates using a dip method. The films exhibited polycrystalline nature and high absorptivity with a direct type of transition.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Julian Lee, Kyle Cotter, Ibrahim Elsadek, Matthew J. Comstock, Steve Presse
Summary: We investigated the hydrodynamic coupling between neighboring micro-beads in a dual optical trap system, which allowed us to control the coupling degree and measure the time-dependent trajectories of the entrained beads. Experimental results of a probe bead's average trajectory, entrained by the motion of a neighboring scan bead, were compared with theoretical computations, demonstrating the significance of viscous coupling and determining the relaxation timescales of the probe bead. These findings provide direct experimental evidence for hydrodynamic coupling at larger scales and longer timescales, which are relevant to hydrodynamic-assisted colloidal assembly and improving the resolution of optical tweezers. We conducted the experiments with three different bead setups.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Hao Wu, Xuejing Zhang, Ping Zhang, Pengbo Jia, Zhaoyuan Wang, Yi Hu, Zhigang Chen, Jingjun Xu
Summary: The study reveals the presence of pulling forces on dielectric microspheres placed in nonparaxial vector self-accelerating beams, particularly away from the optimal transverse trapping position for large particles. These pulling forces can be comparable in magnitude to the transverse forces, especially when manipulating small particles. This discovery opens possibilities for applications in optical trapping and manipulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiecan Cui, Xiaoying Niu, Yang Chen, Yuxuan Xing, Shirui Yan, Jin Zhao, Lijun Chen, Shuaixi Xu, Dongyou Wu, Tenglong Shi, Xin Wang, Wei Pu
Summary: This study estimates and attributes the spatio-temporal variability in the radiative forcing of light-absorbing particles (LAPs) in snow over the northern hemisphere during the snow-covered period 2003-2018. The results show that the radiative forcing varies greatly across different regions and seasons, with the highest value in northeastern China and the lowest value in Greenland. The concentration of LAPs is the main contributor to spatial variability in spring, while snow water equivalent and solar irradiance play a more important role in winter.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Zhe Shen, Xin-Yu Huang
Summary: Non-paraxial Bessel tractor beams are generated using polarization-insensitive metasurfaces, which exert optical pulling forces on dielectric particles with specific radii at the beams' axes. The strengths of these forces depend on the particles' radii, allowing for particle sorting. Changing the polarization states or topological charges of the incident beams can switch between pulling and pushing forces or provide selective optical separation. The simulation results confirm the feasibility of using linearly or circularly polarized tractor beams to pull particles towards the light source.
CHINESE PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Julie A. Peterson, Ding Yuan, Arthur H. Winter
Summary: By mixing different photoremovable protecting groups, independent optical control over a mixture of photocaged substrates can be achieved through wavelength-selective activation using long-wavelength light.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongru Ding, Zhihan Chen, Carolina Ponce, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Due to their contactless and fuel-free operation, optical rotation techniques have great potential in various fields such as cellular biology, 3D imaging, and micro/nanorobotics. However, the complexity of optics, high power requirements, and limitations in object applicability hinder their broader use. This Feature Article focuses on a new class of optical rotation techniques called optothermal rotation, which utilizes light-mediated thermal phenomena to enable versatile and simpler rotary control of objects with lower power. The article provides an overview of the fundamental thermal phenomena and concepts involved in optothermal rotation and categorizes the techniques based on their rotation modes and thermal phenomena. The potential applications of optothermal manipulation techniques in areas like single-cell mechanics, 3D bio-imaging, and micro/nanomotors are also discussed, along with insights on operating guidelines, challenges, and future directions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pavana Siddhartha Kollipara, Zhihan Chen, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Optothermal manipulation is a versatile technique that combines optical and thermal forces to control micro-/nanoparticles and biological entities. It overcomes the limitations of traditional optical tweezers and has a wide range of applications in biology, nanotechnology, and robotics. However, there are current challenges in experimental and modeling aspects, which need to be addressed for further advancements in this field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongru Ding, Pavana Siddhartha Kollipara, Kan Yao, Yiran Chang, Daniel J. Dickinson, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Optical tweezers offer contact-free manipulation of small objects, but require sophisticated imaging and feedback systems for controlled motion. We develop an optothermal platform that enables multimodal manipulation of micro/nanoparticles along various surfaces, including both synthesized particles and biological cells. With this platform, we can achieve localized control of biological functions on rough surfaces of live worms and their embryos. This multimodal optothermal platform will be a powerful tool in life sciences, nanotechnology, and colloidal sciences.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yaoran Liu, Rohit Unni, Xin Lou, Mingcheng Yang, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: This article introduces a high-resolution 3D imaging and classification technique based on optical microscopy coupled with optothermal rotation. It is applicable to any suspended organism in clinical samples, enabling contact-free and biocompatible 3D imaging.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anand Swain, Zhihan Chen, Yaoran Liu, Zilong Wu, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Thermal-tape-transfer printing enables the fabrication of large-scale and homogeneous moire chiral metamaterials (MCMs) with arbitrary twist angles and tunable optical chirality. This opens doors to various biological, photonic, and optoelectronic applications.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yaoran Liu, Zilong Wu, Daniel W. Armstrong, Herman Wolosker, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: The chirality of small metabolic molecules plays an important role in physiological processes and health assessment. Abnormal ratios of enantiomers in biofluids and tissues are associated with various diseases. Chiral small molecules show great potential as biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, drug-effect monitoring, pharmacodynamics, and personalized medicine. However, analyzing small chiral molecules in clinical settings remains challenging due to their diversity and low concentration levels.
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhihan Chen, Hongru Ding, Pavana Siddhartha Kollipara, Jingang Li, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: Researchers propose a novel optical feedback control system that can mimic collective motion observed in living objects. This system allows for experimental investigation of velocity alignment in a perturbed environment, and spontaneous formation of different moving states and dynamic transitions were observed.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Fang, Kan Yao, Mingsong Wang, Zhuohang Yu, Tianyi Zhang, Taizhi Jiang, Suichu Huang, Brian A. Korgel, Mauricio Terrones, Andrea Alu, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: In this study, we achieved on-demand exciton-polariton emission from a wide range of TMDs at room temperature by hybridizing excitons with broadband Mie resonances. The system demonstrated stable polaritonic photoluminescence and multiple Rabi splittings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavana Siddhartha Kollipara, Xiuying Li, Jingang Li, Zhihan Chen, Hongru Ding, Youngsun Kim, Suichu Huang, Zhenpeng Qin, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: This article introduces the low-temperature opto-thermophoretic tweezers (HOTTs) technology, which achieves low-power trapping of diverse colloids and biological cells at sub-ambient temperatures through an environmental cooling strategy. At the same time, HOTTs can also suppress thermal damage. With their noninvasiveness and versatile capabilities, HOTTs have great potential for research and applications in materials science and biotechnology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Optics
Youngsun Kim, Yuebing Zheng
Summary: By decoupling temperature and flow fields, ISO-FLUCS enables precise control over fluid manipulation while minimizing thermal damage through symmetry-correlated laser scan sequences. Quasi-isothermal optofluidic streaming is achieved.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Marcel Herber, Ana Jimenez Amaya, Nicklas Giese, Bharath Bangalore Rajeeva, Yuebing Zheng, Eric H. Hill
Summary: The printing of layered silicate nanoclays using a laser-directed microbubble was established, and the influence of surface chemistry on the resulting assembly was studied. This work also demonstrated the potential of this method in fabricating ultrasensitive molecular sensors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
