In depth fiber optic trapping of low-index microscopic objects

Abstract

We demonstrate that a focused beam through a microaxicon built on the tip of a single mode optical fiber can trap low-index objects at much larger depths as compared to the vortex beam tweezers generated using high numerical aperture microscope objectives. The measured transverse trapping force for low-index objects in Mie regime was found to depend on particle size and on distance of trapped objects from the fiber tip. While axial movement of trapped low-index objects was achieved by variation in trap beam power, transportation in three dimensions was achieved by maneuvering the fiber.