Observation of a single-beam gradient force acoustical trap for elastic particles: acoustical tweezers
File(s)1411.1912v2.pdf (3.34 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Baresch, D
Thomas, JL
Marchiano, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We demonstrate the trapping of elastic particles by the large gradient force of a single acoustical beam in three dimensions. Acoustical tweezers can push, pull and accurately control both the position and the forces exerted on a unique particle. Forces in excess of 1 micronewton were exerted on polystyrene beads in the submillimeter range. A beam intensity less than 50 W/cm^{2} was required, ensuring damage-free trapping conditions. The large spectrum of frequencies covered by coherent ultrasonic sources provides a wide variety of manipulation possibilities from macroscopic to microscopic length scales. Our observations could open the way to important applications, in particular, in biology and biophysics at the cellular scale and for the design of acoustical machines in microfluidic environments.
Date Issued
2016-01-11
Date Acceptance
2016-01-01
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2016, 116 (2)
ISSN
1079-7114
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
116
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Physical Society
Identifier
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26824541
Subjects
physics.class-ph
cond-mat.soft
General Physics
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
024301