Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications

Abstract Non-contact mechanical control of light has given rise to optical manipulation, facilitating diverse light-matter interactions and enabling pioneering applications like optical tweezers. However, the practical adoption of versatile optical tweezing systems remains constrained by the complex...

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Main Authors: Geze Gao, Tianhua Shao, Tianyue Li, Shuming Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Nano
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04252-4
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author Geze Gao
Tianhua Shao
Tianyue Li
Shuming Wang
author_facet Geze Gao
Tianhua Shao
Tianyue Li
Shuming Wang
author_sort Geze Gao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Non-contact mechanical control of light has given rise to optical manipulation, facilitating diverse light-matter interactions and enabling pioneering applications like optical tweezers. However, the practical adoption of versatile optical tweezing systems remains constrained by the complexity and bulkiness of their optical setups, underscoring the urgent requirement for advancements in miniaturization and functional integration. In this paper, we present innovations in optical manipulation within the nanophotonic domain, including fiber-based and metamaterial tweezers, as well as their emerging applications in manipulating cells and artificial micro-nano robots. Furthermore, we explore interdisciplinary on-chip devices that integrate photonic crystals and optofluidics. By merging optical manipulation with the dynamism of nanophotonics and metamaterials, this work seeks to chart a transformative pathway for the future of optomechanics and beyond.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2731-9229
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Springer
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series Discover Nano
spelling doaj-art-139fb67d5e4044028d6a6724ba42d11b2025-08-20T01:47:29ZengSpringerDiscover Nano2731-92292025-05-0120113810.1186/s11671-025-04252-4Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applicationsGeze Gao0Tianhua Shao1Tianyue Li2Shuming Wang3National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing UniversityNational Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing UniversityNational Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing UniversityNational Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing UniversityAbstract Non-contact mechanical control of light has given rise to optical manipulation, facilitating diverse light-matter interactions and enabling pioneering applications like optical tweezers. However, the practical adoption of versatile optical tweezing systems remains constrained by the complexity and bulkiness of their optical setups, underscoring the urgent requirement for advancements in miniaturization and functional integration. In this paper, we present innovations in optical manipulation within the nanophotonic domain, including fiber-based and metamaterial tweezers, as well as their emerging applications in manipulating cells and artificial micro-nano robots. Furthermore, we explore interdisciplinary on-chip devices that integrate photonic crystals and optofluidics. By merging optical manipulation with the dynamism of nanophotonics and metamaterials, this work seeks to chart a transformative pathway for the future of optomechanics and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04252-4Optical manipulationFiber optical tweezersPlasmonic tweezersMetasurface tweezersMetamotorsBiological manipulation
spellingShingle Geze Gao
Tianhua Shao
Tianyue Li
Shuming Wang
Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
Discover Nano
Optical manipulation
Fiber optical tweezers
Plasmonic tweezers
Metasurface tweezers
Metamotors
Biological manipulation
title Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
title_full Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
title_fullStr Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
title_short Harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures: principles and applications
title_sort harnessing optical forces with advanced nanophotonic structures principles and applications
topic Optical manipulation
Fiber optical tweezers
Plasmonic tweezers
Metasurface tweezers
Metamotors
Biological manipulation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-025-04252-4
work_keys_str_mv AT gezegao harnessingopticalforceswithadvancednanophotonicstructuresprinciplesandapplications
AT tianhuashao harnessingopticalforceswithadvancednanophotonicstructuresprinciplesandapplications
AT tianyueli harnessingopticalforceswithadvancednanophotonicstructuresprinciplesandapplications
AT shumingwang harnessingopticalforceswithadvancednanophotonicstructuresprinciplesandapplications