In-plane subwavelength near field optical capsule for lab-on-a-chip optical nano-tweezer

Abstract

In this letter, we propose a new proof-of-concept of optical nano-tweezer on the basis of a pair of dielectric rectangular rods capable of generating a novel class of controlled finite-volume near field light capsules. The finite-difference time-domain simulations of light spatial structure and optical trapping forces of the gold nanoparticle immersed in water demonstrate the physical concept of an in-plane subwavelength optical capsule, integrated with the microfluidic mesoscale device. It is shown that refractive index and distance between dielectric rectangular rods can control the shape and axial position of the optical capsule. Such an in-plane wavelength-scaled structure provides a new path for manipulating absorbing nano-particles including bio-particles in a compact planar architecture and should thus open promising perspectives in lab-on-a-chip domains.