Optofluidic Manipulation with Sub-wavelength Scale Photonics

Optofluidic transport represents the fusion of optics with microfluidics to create a new paradigm for nanoscale transport. Optofluidic transport exploits the favorable transport properties of light for the manipulation of objects in nanoscale systems. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, trapping and confinement of dielectric nanoparticles (75 and 100 nm polystyrene nanoparticle beads) using sub-wavelength scale planar photonic “slot waveguides”. The slot waveguide generates previously unseen high confinement liquid-core optical modes, creating the necessary optical intensity for nanoparticle trapping. The ability to precisely manipulate nanoscopic matter is critical for the development of emerging active nanosystems.