Gold nanoparticles experience strong optical forces when placed into laser foci. Depending on
wavelength single nanoparticles can be either trapped or pushed forward by the respective gradient and scattering forces. I will demonstrate several new concepts of optically trapped gold nanoparticles partly combining the effects of optical forces with those of optothermal heating. Applications range from optical printing [1,2] to the detection of nearby mechanical motions and acoustic signals [3].
1. A. Urban, A. Lutich, F. Stefani, and J. Feldmann, Nano Letters 10, 4794 (2010).
2. S. Nedev, A. Urban, A. Lutich, and J. Feldmann, Nano Letters 11, 5066 (2011).
3. A. Ohlinger, A. Deak, A. Lutich, and J. Feldmann, Physical Review Letters 108, 018101
(2012).