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Nanoalignment by critical Casimir torques

Author

Listed:
  • Gan Wang

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Piotr Nowakowski

    (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
    University of Stuttgart
    Ruđer Bošković Institute)

  • Nima Farahmand Bafi

    (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
    University of Stuttgart
    Polish Academy of Sciences)

  • Benjamin Midtvedt

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Falko Schmidt

    (ETH Zürich)

  • Agnese Callegari

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Ruggero Verre

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Mikael Käll

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • S. Dietrich

    (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
    University of Stuttgart)

  • Svyatoslav Kondrat

    (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
    University of Stuttgart
    Polish Academy of Sciences
    University of Stuttgart)

  • Giovanni Volpe

    (University of Gothenburg)

Abstract

The manipulation of microscopic objects requires precise and controllable forces and torques. Recent advances have led to the use of critical Casimir forces as a powerful tool, which can be finely tuned through the temperature of the environment and the chemical properties of the involved objects. For example, these forces have been used to self-organize ensembles of particles and to counteract stiction caused by Casimir-Liftshitz forces. However, until now, the potential of critical Casimir torques has been largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that critical Casimir torques can efficiently control the alignment of microscopic objects on nanopatterned substrates. We show experimentally and corroborate with theoretical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations that circular patterns on a substrate can stabilize the position and orientation of microscopic disks. By making the patterns elliptical, such microdisks can be subject to a torque which flips them upright while simultaneously allowing for more accurate control of the microdisk position. More complex patterns can selectively trap 2D-chiral particles and generate particle motion similar to non-equilibrium Brownian ratchets. These findings provide new opportunities for nanotechnological applications requiring precise positioning and orientation of microscopic objects.

Suggested Citation

  • Gan Wang & Piotr Nowakowski & Nima Farahmand Bafi & Benjamin Midtvedt & Falko Schmidt & Agnese Callegari & Ruggero Verre & Mikael Käll & S. Dietrich & Svyatoslav Kondrat & Giovanni Volpe, 2024. "Nanoalignment by critical Casimir torques," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49220-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49220-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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