arXiv subjects

Aili Maimaiti

Publications and source records attributed to Aili Maimaiti.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Light-induced rotation of dielectric microparticles around an optical nanofiber

We experimentally demonstrate orbiting of isotropic, dielectric microparticles around an optical nanofiber that guides elliptically polarized fundamental modes. The driving transverse radiation force appears in the evanescent electromagnetic fields due to orbital angular momentum. The force direction is opposite to that of the energy flow circulation around the nanofiber. Our results verify the theoretically predicted negative optical torque on a sufficiently large particle in the vicinity of a nanofiber.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Nonlinear force dependence on optically bound micro-particle arrays in the eva-nescent fields of fundamental and higher order microfibre modes

Particles trapped in the evanescent field of an ultrathin optical fibre inter-act over very long distances via multiple scattering of the fibre-guided fields. In ultrathin fibres that support higher order modes, these interac-tions are stronger and exhibit qualitatively new behaviour due to the cou-pling of different fibre modes, which have different propagation wave-vectors, by the particles. Here, we study one dimensional longitudinal opti-cal binding interactions of chains of 3 μm polystyrene spheres under the influence of the evanescent fields of a two-mode microfibre. The observa-tion of long-range interactions, self-ordering and speed variation of parti-cle chains reveals strong optical binding effects between the particles that can be modelled well by a tritter scattering-matrix approach. The optical forces, optical binding interactions and the velocity of bounded particle chains are calculated using this method. Results show good agreement with finite element numerical simulations. Experimental data and theoreti-cal analysis show that higher order modes in a microfibre offer a promis-ing method to not only obtain stable, multiple particle trapping or faster particle propulsion speeds, but that they also allow for better control over each individual trapped object in particle ensembles near the microfibre surface.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Higher order microfibre modes for dielectric particle trapping and propulsion

Optical manipulation in the vicinity of optical micro- and nanofibres has shown potential across several fields in recent years, including microparticle control, and cold atom probing and trapping. To date, most work has focussed on propagation of the fundamental mode through the fibre. However, along the maximum mode intensity axis, higher order modes have a longer evanescent field extension and larger field amplitude at the fibre waist compared to the fundamental mode, opening up new possibilities for optical manipulation and particle trapping. In this work, we demonstrate a microfibre/optical tweezers compact system for trapping and propelling dielectric particles based on the excitation of the first group of higher order modes at the fibre waist. Single polystyrene particles were trapped and propelled in the evanescent fields of higher order and fundamental modes near the surface of microfibres. Speed enhancement of particle propulsion was observed for the higher order modes compared to the fundamental mode for particles ranging from 1 μm to 5 μm in diameter. The optical propelling velocity of a single, 3 μm polystyrene particle was found to be 8 times faster under the higher order evanescent field than the fundamental mode field for a waist power of 25 mW. Experimental data and dynamic interactions between the evanescent field of these two different fibre modes and the particles are supported by theoretical calculations. This work can be extended to trapping and manipulation of laser-cooled atoms for quantum networks.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Interaction of laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms with higher order modes of an optical nanofiber

Optical nanofibres are used to confine light to subwavelength regions and are very promising tools for the development of optical fibre-based quantum networks using cold, neutral atoms. To date, experimental studies on atoms near nanofibres have focussed on fundamental fibre mode interactions. In this work, we demonstrate the integration of a few-mode optical nanofibre into a magneto-optical trap for $^{87}$Rb atoms. The nanofibre, with a waist diameter of $\sim$700 nm, supports both the fundamental and first group of higher order modes and is used for atomic fluorescence and absorption studies. In general, light propagating in higher order fibre modes has a greater evanescent field extension around the waist in comparison with the fundamental mode. By exploiting this behaviour, we demonstrate that the detected signal of fluorescent photons emitted from a cloud of cold atoms centred at the nanofibre waist is larger ($\sim$6 times) when higher order guided modes are considered as compared to the fundamental mode. Absorption of on-resonance, higher order mode probe light by the laser-cooled atoms is also observed. These advances should facilitate the realisation of atom trapping schemes based on higher order mode interference.

physics.atom-ph↗