Observation of Light-Driven Levitation Near Epsilon-Near-Zero Surfaces
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arXiv
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866915732569194496 |
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| author | Donato, Maria Grazia Hinczewski, Michael Letsou, Theodore ElKabbash, Mohamed Saija, Rosalba Gucciardi, Pietro G. Engheta, Nader Strangi, Giuseppe Marago, Onofrio M. |
| author_facet | Donato, Maria Grazia Hinczewski, Michael Letsou, Theodore ElKabbash, Mohamed Saija, Rosalba Gucciardi, Pietro G. Engheta, Nader Strangi, Giuseppe Marago, Onofrio M. |
| contents | Optical manipulation of micro- and nanoparticles near surfaces is fundamental for applications in sensing and microfluidics, yet controlling particle-surface interactions remains challenging. Here we experimentally investigate light-induced forces on dielectric particles near epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial surfaces using photonic force microscopy. By illuminating trapped particles with tunable visible light, we observe a wavelength-dependent repulsive force unique to ENZ surfaces, contrasting with the attractive forces near dielectric or metallic substrates. This repulsion peaks near the ENZ frequency and may be attributed to combined optical ENZ effects and thermophoretic forces. Our findings demonstrate that ENZ metamaterials can induce stable levitation of particles via light-driven forces, offering a novel mechanism for contactless manipulation in microfluidic environments. This work advances understanding of light-matter interactions at ENZ interfaces and suggests potential for ENZ-based optical control of micro- and nanoscale objects, with potential applications in micro- and nanofluidic environments. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_10425 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Observation of Light-Driven Levitation Near Epsilon-Near-Zero Surfaces Donato, Maria Grazia Hinczewski, Michael Letsou, Theodore ElKabbash, Mohamed Saija, Rosalba Gucciardi, Pietro G. Engheta, Nader Strangi, Giuseppe Marago, Onofrio M. Optics Applied Physics Optical manipulation of micro- and nanoparticles near surfaces is fundamental for applications in sensing and microfluidics, yet controlling particle-surface interactions remains challenging. Here we experimentally investigate light-induced forces on dielectric particles near epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial surfaces using photonic force microscopy. By illuminating trapped particles with tunable visible light, we observe a wavelength-dependent repulsive force unique to ENZ surfaces, contrasting with the attractive forces near dielectric or metallic substrates. This repulsion peaks near the ENZ frequency and may be attributed to combined optical ENZ effects and thermophoretic forces. Our findings demonstrate that ENZ metamaterials can induce stable levitation of particles via light-driven forces, offering a novel mechanism for contactless manipulation in microfluidic environments. This work advances understanding of light-matter interactions at ENZ interfaces and suggests potential for ENZ-based optical control of micro- and nanoscale objects, with potential applications in micro- and nanofluidic environments. |
| title | Observation of Light-Driven Levitation Near Epsilon-Near-Zero Surfaces |
| topic | Optics Applied Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.10425 |