Optical microrheology using rotating laser-trapped particles

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 May 14;92(19):198104. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.198104. Epub 2004 May 14.

Abstract

We demonstrate an optical system that can apply and accurately measure the torque exerted by the trapping beam on a rotating birefringent probe particle. This allows the viscosity and surface effects within liquid media to be measured quantitatively on a micron-size scale using a trapped rotating spherical probe particle. We use the system to measure the viscosity inside a prototype cellular structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Carbonate / chemistry
  • Diffusion
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Rheology / methods*
  • Torque
  • Viscosity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Water
  • Calcium Carbonate