Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles and Quantum Dots

Optical manipulation of nanostructures offers new exciting possibilities for building new nano-architectures and for exploring the fundamental interactions between light and nanoparticles. The optical properties of nanostructures differ substantially from those of similar bulk material and exhibit an exquisite sensitivity on nanoparticle shape and composition. The plethora of particles available today expands the possibilities of optical manipulation to include control over particle temperature, luminescence, orientation, and even over the rotational optical momentum transferred to the nanoparticle. Here, we summarize recent experimental advances within optical manipulation of individual nanoparticles and quantum dots with a focus on resonant versus non-resonant trapping, optically induced heating, spherical aberration, and orientation control. Also, we present novel quantitative data on the photonic interaction between gold nanoshells and a focused laser beam. Lastly, promising applications of the biophotonical properties of nanoparticles within nanoscience and biophysics are pointed out.