Separations based on the mechanical forces of light

• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2005.06.065
• Publication Date: 2005-08-03T23:13:47Z
• Authors: Bum Suk Zhao; Yoon-Mo Koo; Doo Soo Chung
• Keywords: Momentum transfer; Particle (ecology); Momentum (technical analysis); Optical force

A photon as a particle has an energy and a momentum. In a matter-photon interaction, the matter and photons may exchange their momenta observing the momentum conservation law. The consequence of the momentum transfer from a photon to a matter particle is a mechanical force exerted on the particle. Several separation methods based on this force of light are reviewed. Photophoresis separations for micron-sized particles and optical force chromatography for chemical-sized molecules are discussed.