Optical Trapping and Manipulating with a Silica Microring Resonator in a Self-Locked Scheme

Victor W. L. Ho, Yao Chang, Yang Liu, Chi Zhang, Yuhua Li, Roy R. Davidson, Brent E. Little, Guanghui Wang, and Sai T. Chu

Based on the gradient force of evanescent waves in silica waveguides and add-drop micro-ring resonators, the optical trapping and manipulation of micro size particles is demonstrated in a self-locked scheme that maintains the on-resonance system even if there is a change in the ambient temperature or environment. The proposed configuration allows the trapping of particles in the high Q resonator without the need for a precise wavelength adjustment of the input signal. On the one hand, a silicon dioxide waveguide having a lower refractive index and relatively larger dimensions facilitates the coupling of the laser with a single-mode fiber. Furthermore, the experimental design of the self-locked scheme reduces the sensitivity of the ring to the environment. This combination can trap the micro size particles with a high stability while manipulating them with high accuracy.

DOI