Using Mechanical Resonance to Overcome Van der Waals Forces in Optical Trapping Experiments

Authors

Nathan B. Terry, Brigham Young University
Dr. Justin B. Peatross, Brigham Young University

Keywords

mechanical resonance, Van der Waals forces, optical trapping experiments

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The laser trapping of microscopic particles has many applications, especially in chemistry, biology and physics (1). It is of special interest to utilize optical trapping to levitate small objects for interferometry work. The levitation of a glass microsphere requires first that the Van der Waals forces between the sphere and the surface on which it rests (the contact surface) must be overcome. The first stage of this experiment examines overcoming these Van der Waal forces by mechanically vibrating the contact surface.

Recommended Citation

Terry, Nathan B. and Peatross, Dr. Justin B. (2014) "Using Mechanical Resonance to Overcome Van der Waals Forces in Optical Trapping Experiments," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 1239.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/1239