Abstract

When light refracts at a surface, it changes the direction and intensity of the light rays. By Newton's 3rd law, this process imparts a small momentum to the object. This effect can be exploited to manipulate very small objects, by carefully selecting the shape and optical properties of the object. This thesis describes a computational model based on the laws of physics to determine the forces and torques resulting from light interacting with a hemicylindrical particle. This model has been successfully used to predict for the first time a phenomenon called optical lift.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Physical optics; Refraction; Light

Publication Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Computer Science (GCCIS)

Advisor

Geigel, Joe

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: QC406 .P48 2012

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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