Abstract
We report on a novel principle of actuation of micrometer-sized liquid crystal droplets. It is based on a light-induced reordering of liquid crystal molecules inside the droplets. Polariscope imaging allowed to evaluate the birefringence change inside the micro-droplets. Directional actuation of the trapped droplet was achieved by cycling laser power with the direction defined by the polarization of the tweezing beam. Micro-actuation resulted from optically-induced birefringence; i.e., a nonlinear optical effect was utilized for mechanical manipulation of the micro-droplet. This principle of actuation can be used to induce molecular flows in sub-micrometer volumes.
©2006 Optical Society of America
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