Three-dimensional optical trapping and laser ablation of a single polymer latex particle in water

Abstract

We developed a laser trapping‐ablation system comprised of CW and pulsed Nd³⁺:YAG lasers as well as of an optical microscope. Three‐dimensional manipulation of various kinds of particles and laser ablation of a single optically trapped, poly(methyl methacrylate) latex particle in water were demonstrated. A minute hole with its diameter of ∼sub‐μm was fabricated on the latex particle (∼6 μm diameter). The hole size produced was much smaller than the effective diameter of the excitation laser beam, suggesting nonlinear optical (self‐focusing of the laser beam) and photochemical (multiphoton absorption) mechanisms for the present laser trapping ablation. Characteristic features of the laser trapping‐ablation are discussed in detail.