What this work contributes
Demonstrates trapping of dielectric particles in water with the gradient force from a single focused laser beam, over reported sizes from roughly 25 nm to 10 μm. It provides a measured foundation for positioning and manipulating matter through engineered optical fields.
Where the evidence stops
The trap depends on an external laser, focusing optics, particle properties, and surrounding medium. Local pulling or trapping forces do not imply that the complete laser-and-particle system can accelerate without momentum exchange.
Original source
A. Ashkin, J. M. Dziedzic, J. E. Bjorkholm, Steven Chu. Observation of a single-beam gradient force optical trap for dielectric particles. Optics Letters 11(5), 288–290 (1986).
Source date: 1986-05-01.
DOI: 10.1364/OL.11.000288
How we use it
This record belongs to Photon momentum. Its evidence label describes the cited work, not the maturity of a Metric Flight device. Follow the original methods, corrections and conditions before transferring a result to a different geometry or scale.
Editorial note reviewed 19 October 2026. AI assisted research discovery and synthesis. Citation metadata and claims were checked against primary publication or institutional records; full-text access varies. Read the source for the complete method.