Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams - Laser Pointer Forums

LarryDFW · 12-02-2009, 05:50 AM

"Optical Trapping" experiments capture smoke particles in the laser beam at or near the focal point of the beam.
When the dielectric smoke particles drift outside the focal point,
diffraction of the laser beam creates an opposing force & pushes them back toward the focal point.
This is a diagram showing the basics:

I set up my Red OC in a draft-free area with a new single lens I assembled.

Set the focus at about 3/8" on a black felt tip marker to generate plenty of smoke particles.

The results were fascinating.

Initially, I got 5 or 6 red balls captured in the beam + or - 1/8" around the focal point.

They danced apart ...

then crashed together into larger balls ...

and then finally combined into one large ball over several seconds.

I plan on more experimentation with some different lens assemblies.

Edit: Photo in post #12.

Low Q has posted some videos on YouTube of his results:

YouTube - Optical trapping !! 16x DVD laser makes a glowing dot in thin air!!

YouTube - Optical Trapping part 2 !! 16x DVD laser makes a lit red dot in thin air. Part 2

YouTube - Optical Trapping Part 3 !! Close Up Video - Now 1min 30sec video

LarryDFW

P.S. Be careful to keep the smoke away from the lens surface. I aimed my laser slightly above horizontal.

jeffd · 12-02-2009, 06:01 AM

You didnt post the links right, here ya go

YouTube - Optical trapping !! 16x DVD laser makes a glowing dot in thin air!!

YouTube - Optical Trapping part 2 !! 16x DVD laser makes a lit red dot in thin air. Part 2

YouTube - Optical Trapping Part 3 !! Close Up Video - Now 1min 30sec video

LarryDFW · 12-02-2009, 06:09 AM

Jeff;

Thanks, I caught it right after I posted.

Have you played with this phenomenon ??

High-Tech Laser Capture Beams

LarryDFW

jeffd · 12-02-2009, 07:05 AM

I dont have a red laser currently, but by the end of the week my parts should be here to do my loc build. The first experiment im going to try is this!!

mfo · 12-02-2009, 05:02 PM

I have a 20x LOC. What exactly do you recommend to reproduce these results?

3zuli · 12-02-2009, 05:06 PM

wow interesting

now let's wait until my LPC sled arrive...

is it possible to do it with other colours? (green, violet)

Hallucynogenyc · 12-02-2009, 09:43 PM

wait. This is the most awesome thing I've ever seen. HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS?!

: drool:

you just focus a red beam and put smoke on it?

Hemlock_Mike · 12-02-2009, 10:10 PM

I saw something like this posted a year or so ago but I forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder -- facinating to watch.

HMike

mattmagic100 · 12-02-2009, 10:15 PM

HOLY CRAP I JUST TRIED IT AND IT LOOKS SO KICK ASS!!
k so all you do is take a red laser, pretty high powered, (i used my dilda)
then, take a sharpy (which i find easier to use) and focus the laser on the tip of the marker.
dont hold the marker over the laser for long and just take the laser out of the way of the laser and boom! you see a tiny little particle. it takes a little practice and the laser has to be perfectly still and in an area with no drafts.

Also to answer 3zulis question
i just tried it with my phr labby, and it worked a few times but its a little bit more tough.

thanks Larry for such a great find!

Low-Q · 12-02-2009, 10:49 PM

It works with a green laser too, but I have not tried it with 405nm. I haven't captured any video of it with a green laser, and I do not have a green laser at the moment. The power was about 50mW, but i'll assume it works better with little more power - 100 to 150mW. More power just makes a geyser out of the melted plastic crater in my "Jumbo Highlighter", and just blows away the particles. The particles must be quite small I guess because it does not disturb or block the beam. Maybe just a few molecules in size. Soon I will recieve a new 405nm laser. My present 405nm laser died when I got too close to my TV screen. I heard a few sparks between the laser and the screen, and there it died - RIP...

nikokapo · 12-02-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemlock_Mike

I saw something like this posted a year or so ago but I forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder -- facinating to watch.

HMike

Yeah, we talked about it in the Science & Lasers section.

We should post more in that section... I'll get some time to do it on January

LarryDFW · 12-03-2009, 04:17 AM

Here's one photo showing four separate optical traps:

They eventually merge into one brighter particle after a few seconds.

The laser can be moved around with the particles fixed in the "tractor beam".

LOC laser with Hi-Power lens assembly.

LarryDFW

Cyparagon · 12-03-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmagic100

laser has to be perfectly still

Not according to the video. He's actually waving the thing about.

yobresal · 12-03-2009, 08:19 PM

I have tried this before as well. The key is NO DRAFT. If you are in a bathroom you need to put like a towell at the crack under the door.

mattmagic100 · 12-03-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyparagon

Not according to the video. He's actually waving the thing about.

o, well i guess for me it was a little harder cause when i tried to tilt it a little it wouldnt work

Meatball · 12-04-2009, 05:38 PM

Just tried it with my 12X... the tape burns way too vigorously for it to work.. I'll try with my PHR a little later...

Nefarious · 12-04-2009, 05:57 PM

Wow!

I gotta give that a try. I will post pics if i get it to work.

aXit · 12-06-2009, 01:04 AM

I got it working with a green.

150mw, focused to infinity, with mouse optical sensor lens right in front, gave me a nice focal point about 2mm away from the lens.

I couldn't get it to stay there for more than a few seconds though.

Things · 12-06-2009, 03:16 AM

I got some really cool pics of optical trapping a few months ago:

aXit · 12-06-2009, 09:19 AM

Things, how big is that laser head? The beam seems to be quite large at the aperture.

Things · 12-06-2009, 10:29 AM

It's one of these modules from here.

Not sure if that pic was taken when I had a LOC built into the module, but I bought like 4 or 5 of these a while back to play around with:

DealExtreme: $26.87 Genuine New Wish 5V Red Stage Laser Module (100mW)

They were originally $16, I guess I got in at the right time

Asherz · 12-06-2009, 01:50 PM

So this is how lightsabers work

If this could be some how incorporated into a lense it would be awesom

randomlugia · 12-06-2009, 05:38 PM

Here's the other thread: My laser makes a red lit dot in thin air...

Nice videos. It's weird how they combine into one dot, I've never seen that before.

jamilm9 · 12-07-2009, 12:19 AM

this is so cool i can only get mine to last for 2 seconds

Hemlock_Mike · 12-07-2009, 12:43 AM

I too was able to get a spot for a couple seconds -- BUT ---

Things -- You have that tornado tube project. Plug it up and set it for this. The tube can provide a small, stable condition for this with the fans off.

HMike

12-02-2009, 06:01 AM	#2
jeffd Class 2 Laser Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 481 Rep Power: 4	Re: Optical Trapping Fun You didnt post the links right, here ya go YouTube - Optical trapping !! 16x DVD laser makes a glowing dot in thin air!! YouTube - Optical Trapping part 2 !! 16x DVD laser makes a lit red dot in thin air. Part 2 YouTube - Optical Trapping Part 3 !! Close Up Video - Now 1min 30sec video

12-02-2009, 06:09 AM	#3
LarryDFW Class 2M Laser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 832 Rep Power: 17	Re: Optical Trapping Fun Jeff; Thanks, I caught it right after I posted. Have you played with this phenomenon ?? High-Tech Laser Capture Beams LarryDFW __________________ . Link- New Hi-Power LD Lenses w/ Stainless Steel Aperture Assemblies For Sale Link- F.S.- New LG/Sanyo #18650 Li-Ion Batteries - 2600 mah UL Listed- $9.95 prepaid (Dual Charger -$8.95) 445's,Blu-Rays, Red OC's, Green Focusables in Hard Anodized Hosts Link- Safe Operating Blu-Ray Laser Current Chart

12-02-2009, 07:05 AM	#4
jeffd Class 2 Laser Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 481 Rep Power: 4	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I dont have a red laser currently, but by the end of the week my parts should be here to do my loc build. The first experiment im going to try is this!!

12-02-2009, 05:02 PM	#5
mfo Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 2,625 Rep Power: 160	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I have a 20x LOC. What exactly do you recommend to reproduce these results?

12-02-2009, 05:06 PM	#6
3zuli Class 2 Laser Join Date: May 2009 Location: SVK Posts: 372 Rep Power: 11	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams wow interesting now let's wait until my LPC sled arrive... is it possible to do it with other colours? (green, violet) __________________ << that's not me my lasers: some 5mW pointers LPC-815 @ 400mA SLD63518262 5mW 635nm DX 5mW DX 50mW 2 DX 30mW modules coming soon: SF-AW210

12-02-2009, 05:50 AM	#1
LarryDFW Class 2M Laser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 832 Rep Power: 17	Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams "Optical Trapping" experiments capture smoke particles in the laser beam at or near the focal point of the beam. When the dielectric smoke particles drift outside the focal point, diffraction of the laser beam creates an opposing force & pushes them back toward the focal point. This is a diagram showing the basics: I set up my Red OC in a draft-free area with a new single lens I assembled. Set the focus at about 3/8" on a black felt tip marker to generate plenty of smoke particles. The results were fascinating. Initially, I got 5 or 6 red balls captured in the beam + or - 1/8" around the focal point. They danced apart ... then crashed together into larger balls ... and then finally combined into one large ball over several seconds. I plan on more experimentation with some different lens assemblies. Edit: Photo in post #12. Low Q has posted some videos on YouTube of his results: YouTube - Optical trapping !! 16x DVD laser makes a glowing dot in thin air!! YouTube - Optical Trapping part 2 !! 16x DVD laser makes a lit red dot in thin air. Part 2 YouTube - Optical Trapping Part 3 !! Close Up Video - Now 1min 30sec video LarryDFW P.S. Be careful to keep the smoke away from the lens surface. I aimed my laser slightly above horizontal. __________________ . Link- New Hi-Power LD Lenses w/ Stainless Steel Aperture Assemblies For Sale Link- F.S.- New LG/Sanyo #18650 Li-Ion Batteries - 2600 mah UL Listed- $9.95 prepaid (Dual Charger -$8.95) 445's,Blu-Rays, Red OC's, Green Focusables in Hard Anodized Hosts Link- Safe Operating Blu-Ray Laser Current Chart Last edited by LarryDFW; 12-06-2009 at 06:16 PM.

12-02-2009, 09:43 PM	#7
Hallucynogenyc Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Spain, tarragona Posts: 3,657 Rep Power: 178	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams wait. This is the most awesome thing I've ever seen. HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS?! : drool: you just focus a red beam and put smoke on it? __________________ The difference between an ignorant and a wise is that the wise knows the limits of his knowledge while the ignorant ignores the limits of his ignorance. Learn how to use Opera and tell me about your experience here! Wicked Lasers Evolution Pro 130mW ------------------> Review Rayfoss 150mW waterproof Rayfoss 200mW focusable torch -----------------------> Review Dealextreme 5mW true laser pointer Dealextreme 50mW true laser pointer Dealextreme 100mW true laser pointer Laserlands 30mW disco laser --------------------------> Review 5mW pointers (many of them) DX 200mW Red laser (Dilda) --------------------------> Review 120mW PHR custom build 200mW GGW custom build Focalprice 7$ green&bluray laser goggles Dealextreme tripod and clamp for laser holding -----> Review DIY 3 motor Spirograph --------------------------------> Review HLPM-2 laser power meter

12-02-2009, 10:10 PM	#8
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I saw something like this posted a year or so ago but I forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder -- facinating to watch. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

12-02-2009, 10:15 PM	#9
mattmagic100 Class 2 Laser Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: illinois Posts: 468 Rep Power: 3	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams HOLY CRAP I JUST TRIED IT AND IT LOOKS SO KICK ASS!! k so all you do is take a red laser, pretty high powered, (i used my dilda) then, take a sharpy (which i find easier to use) and focus the laser on the tip of the marker. dont hold the marker over the laser for long and just take the laser out of the way of the laser and boom! you see a tiny little particle. it takes a little practice and the laser has to be perfectly still and in an area with no drafts. Also to answer 3zulis question i just tried it with my phr labby, and it worked a few times but its a little bit more tough. thanks Larry for such a great find! __________________ LASERS: 200mW Red Dilda from O-like 20mW Violet from Wicked Lasers 150mW Green Labby from Mohrenberg/O-like 110mW Custom Violet Labby 3mW Red Melles Griot HeNe Tube

12-02-2009, 10:49 PM	#10
Low-Q Class 1 Laser Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 89 Rep Power: 2	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams It works with a green laser too, but I have not tried it with 405nm. I haven't captured any video of it with a green laser, and I do not have a green laser at the moment. The power was about 50mW, but i'll assume it works better with little more power - 100 to 150mW. More power just makes a geyser out of the melted plastic crater in my "Jumbo Highlighter", and just blows away the particles. The particles must be quite small I guess because it does not disturb or block the beam. Maybe just a few molecules in size. Soon I will recieve a new 405nm laser. My present 405nm laser died when I got too close to my TV screen. I heard a few sparks between the laser and the screen, and there it died - RIP...

12-03-2009, 04:17 AM	#12
LarryDFW Class 2M Laser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 832 Rep Power: 17	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams Here's one photo showing four separate optical traps: They eventually merge into one brighter particle after a few seconds. The laser can be moved around with the particles fixed in the "tractor beam". LOC laser with Hi-Power lens assembly. LarryDFW __________________ . Link- New Hi-Power LD Lenses w/ Stainless Steel Aperture Assemblies For Sale Link- F.S.- New LG/Sanyo #18650 Li-Ion Batteries - 2600 mah UL Listed- $9.95 prepaid (Dual Charger -$8.95) 445's,Blu-Rays, Red OC's, Green Focusables in Hard Anodized Hosts Link- Safe Operating Blu-Ray Laser Current Chart Last edited by LarryDFW; 01-15-2010 at 05:40 PM.

12-03-2009, 08:19 PM	#14
yobresal Class 3B Laser Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Napa, CA, USA Posts: 2,757 Rep Power: 208	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I have tried this before as well. The key is NO DRAFT. If you are in a bathroom you need to put like a towell at the crack under the door. __________________ Watch my Youtube videos. I have a bunch more and there is more to come. Click the ads too if you want to. 1 WATT GREEN LASER DUAL LASER PHASER 445nm STARTING FIRE My lasers: 250mW 650nm waterproof o-like 650mW SPYDER III PRO 100mW CNI Clone 5mW Lyra Gold 90mW GLP-473nm 130mW PGL-III-M 650mW Chrome Pocket mini 445nm 1200mW Ehgemus black stallion 445nm 840mW Chrome pocket mini 780mW Ehgemus Black Stallion

12-04-2009, 05:57 PM	#17
Nefarious Class 2M Laser Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: LI, NY Posts: 530 Rep Power: 17	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams Wow! I gotta give that a try. I will post pics if i get it to work. __________________ Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated.

12-06-2009, 01:04 AM	#18
aXit Class 1M Laser Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 172 Rep Power: 6	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I got it working with a green. 150mw, focused to infinity, with mouse optical sensor lens right in front, gave me a nice focal point about 2mm away from the lens. I couldn't get it to stay there for more than a few seconds though.

12-06-2009, 03:16 AM	#19
Things Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cairns, Australia Posts: 4,271 Rep Power: 146	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I got some really cool pics of optical trapping a few months ago: __________________ Problems with LaserChat?

12-06-2009, 09:19 AM	#20
aXit Class 1M Laser Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 172 Rep Power: 6	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams Things, how big is that laser head? The beam seems to be quite large at the aperture.

12-06-2009, 10:29 AM	#21
Things Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cairns, Australia Posts: 4,271 Rep Power: 146	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams It's one of these modules from here. Not sure if that pic was taken when I had a LOC built into the module, but I bought like 4 or 5 of these a while back to play around with: DealExtreme: $26.87 Genuine New Wish 5V Red Stage Laser Module (100mW) They were originally $16, I guess I got in at the right time __________________ Problems with LaserChat?

12-06-2009, 01:50 PM	#22
Asherz Class 3R Laser Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,356 Rep Power: 37	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams So this is how lightsabers work If this could be some how incorporated into a lense it would be awesom __________________ - 150mW Ehgemus Mini-RPL Review - 445nm Custom build@650mA - Waiting for a host Dino Direct 50mW Flashlight unit DX True green 100mW O-like module @ 171mW in Mini-RPL host Single-line Argon @ 52mW 488nm Peak PHR-803T @ 110mA in Jayrob MXDL host DX Red 660nm 200mW Dragon lasers 190nm-548nm Safety Goggles

12-06-2009, 05:38 PM	#23
randomlugia Class 3R Laser Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Williamsport, MD Posts: 1,493 Rep Power: 89	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams Here's the other thread: My laser makes a red lit dot in thin air... Nice videos. It's weird how they combine into one dot, I've never seen that before. __________________ Current Lasers: 2 broken Rayfoss 125mW FLX 2 Broken Most likely buying Focalprice <100mW pen soon Etimeshop pen PSN name: macrocheesium A GUIDE TO BUYING GREEN LASERS

12-07-2009, 12:19 AM	#24
jamilm9 Class 3R Laser Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: canada eh Posts: 1,863 Rep Power: 122	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams this is so cool i can only get mine to last for 2 seconds __________________ Used to have 26 rep points I am leet

12-07-2009, 12:43 AM	#25
Hemlock_Mike Class 3B Laser Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Iowa Posts: 4,589 Rep Power: 191	Re: Optical Trapping - Real Laser Tractor Beams I too was able to get a spot for a couple seconds -- BUT --- Things -- You have that tornado tube project. Plug it up and set it for this. The tube can provide a small, stable condition for this with the fans off. HMike __________________ If you want to run with the BIG dogs - Stop pissing like a puppy.

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