Particle dynamics in optical tweezer systems

Abstract The last four decades have witnessed the flourished harvesting in optical tweezers technology, leading to the development of a number of mainstream and emerging disciplines, particularly in physico-chemical processes. In recent years, with the advancement of optical tweezers technology, the study of particle dynamics has been further developed and enhanced. This review presents an overview of the research progress in optical tweezers from the perspective of particle dynamics. It cites relevant theoretical models and mathematical formulas, delves into the principles of mechanics involved in optical tweezers technology, and analyzes the coupling of the particle force field to the optical field in a continuous medium. Through a review of the open literature, this paper highlights historical advances in research on the dynamical behavior of particles since the invention of optical tweezers, including diffusion, aggregation, collisions, and fluid motion. Furthermore, it shows some specific research cases and experimental results in recent years to demonstrate the practical application effects of the combination of particle dynamics and optical tweezers technology in several fields. Finally, it discusses the challenges and constraints facing the field of combining particle technology with optical tweezers technology and prospects potential future research directions and improvements.