Light-Driven Rotation of Plasmonic Nanomotors
Journal article, 2018

Colloidal metal nanocrystals exhibit distinct plasmonic resonances that can greatly enhance optical forces and torques. This article highlights the recent application of such particles as light-driven rotary motors at the nanoscale. By using laser tweezers, it is possible to achieve unprecedented rotation performance in solution, providing a variety of exciting possibilities for applications ranging from nanomechanics to biochemical sensing. Recent developments in this emerging field are discussed, and the physics behind the rotation mechanism, the Brownian dynamics, and the photothermal heating effects influencing the performance of the plasmonic nanomotors are introduced. Possible applications, open questions, and interesting future developments are also discussed.

optical tweezers

optical manipulation

light-driven rotation

plasmonic nanocrystals

nanomotors

Author

Lei Shao

Chalmers, Physics, Bionanophotonics

Mikael Käll

Chalmers, Physics, Bionanophotonics

Advanced Functional Materials

1616-301X (ISSN) 16163028 (eISSN)

Vol. 28 25 1706272

Subject Categories

Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified

Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics

Other Physics Topics

DOI

10.1002/adfm.201706272

More information

Latest update

7/6/2018 9