Stability of optical levitation by radiation pressure

Abstract

Stable optical levitation of transparent hollow dielectric spheres has been demonstrated using TEM₀₁ mode laser beams. The levitation of solid dielectric spheres has been made much more stable using highly convergent TEM₀₀ mode beams. We have discovered the existence of two distinct stable regimes of levitation for solid spheres, one located above the beam focus, the other below it. A particle can be switched back and forth between these regimes. Three separate stable regimes are also possible.