Star Trek's "tractor" beam created in miniature by researchers

[Semjase]

This is the first time a light beam has been used to draw objects towards the light source.

What current law of physics would explain this phenomenon?

 

 

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/archive/2013/title,97477,en.php

 

 

http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2013/04/15/video-tractor-beam/

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-21187598

[swansont]

I'm guessing it's the dipole force, making the particles seek the highest field. You move the beam waist toward the source and the particles will follow.

[Semjase]

I'm guessing it's the dipole force, making the particles seek the highest field. You move the beam waist toward the source and the particles will follow.

 

I think this physicist may have the correct answer.

Although if this physicist's analysis is correct then

the a particle with a reflective surface with the same size and mass

as shown in the video struck with the same two lasers would have be accelerated

away from the lasers at approximately the same velocity as the transparent particle would move

towards the two lasers as discussed in the video.

 

 

Edited April 17, 2013 by Semjase

[CharonY]

Just wondering, how is that different from standard optical tweezers (yeah I know, I should read the articles...)?

[swansont]

Just wondering, how is that different from standard optical tweezers (yeah I know, I should read the articles...)?

 

The thing is, the press releases don't go into that level of detail, and I haven't read the original paper, but I'm thinking it's the same effect. The "never been done before" is technically correct, they're also implying it's a new technique, which would be hyperbole.