Master thesis presentation in Physics. The thesis title is "Optical levitation of charged metallic particles".
Oscar Österlund
The build and use of an optical levitation experimental setup operated in air is described. The setup is used to levitate solid aluminium particles, with size in the tens of micro meter range, as well as silver coated glass spheres. This is achieved by using a vortex retarder to transform a Gaussian beam into a TEM∗01 beam, also known as a doughnut beam. The particle is trapped in the hollow centre of the beam, achieving a balance between the radiation pressure of the laser and the force of gravity. The particle is positioned in a vertical electric field, and its charge is altered using a UV-lamp emitting photons at 4.96 eV, exceeding the work function of both aluminium and silver. Using the setup the charge and change in charge of the particles can be measured. The intended use of the setup is the visualisation of physics for education.
Supervisor: Oscar Isaksson
Examinator: Dag Hanstorp
Opponent: Ilse Kardash
Monday 3 June at 14.00 in Nexus