Large-area optoelastic manipulation of colloidal particles in liquid crystals using photoresponsive molecular surface monolayers

Angel Martinez, Hector C. Mireles, Ivan I. Smalyukh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Noncontact optical trapping and manipulation of micrometer- and nanometer-sized particles are typically achieved by use of forces and torques exerted by tightly focused high-intensity laser beams. Although they were instrumental for many scientific breakthroughs, these approaches find few technological applications mainly because of the small-area manipulation capabilities, the need for using high laser powers, limited application to anisotropic fluids and low-refractive-index particles, as well as complexity of implementation. To overcome these limitations, recent research efforts have been directed toward extending the scope of non-contact optical control through the use of optically-guided electrokinetic forces, vortex laser beams, plasmonics, and optofluidics. Here we demonstrate manipulation of colloidal particles and self-assembled structures in nematic liquid crystals by means of single-molecule-thick, light-controlled surface monolayers. Using polarized light of intensity from 1,000 to 100,000 times smaller than that in conventional optical tweezers, we rotate, translate, localize, and assemble spherical and complex-shaped particles of various sizes and compositions. By controlling boundary conditions through the monolayer, we manipulate the liquid crystal director field and the landscape of ensuing elastic forces exerted on colloids by the host medium. This permits the centimeter-scale, massively parallel manipulation of particles and complex colloidal structures that can be dynamically controlled by changing illumination or assembled into stationary stable configurations dictated by the "memorized" optoelastic potential landscape due to the last illumination pattern. We characterize the strength of optically guided elastic forces and discuss the potential uses of this noncontact manipulation in fabrication of novel optically- and electrically-tunable composites from liquid crystals and colloids.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20891-20896
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume108
Issue number52
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Optical manipulation
  • Photoresponsive surface monolayers
  • Self-assembly

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Large-area optoelastic manipulation of colloidal particles in liquid crystals using photoresponsive molecular surface monolayers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this