Determining size of an optically trapped particle via modulated Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

The average Raman signal power obtained in a modulated optical trap is dependent on the Brownian motion - therefore hydrodynamic properties of the trapped particle. Hence, in addition to the molecular properties obtained from the Raman signal, it is possible to study hydrodynamic properties (e.g. size) of the particle by analyzing the change in the average Raman power as a function of modulation frequency. Our results, based on the over-damped Langevin equation, show that several minimas exist for the Raman signal at unique modulating frequencies for a given particle size and signal acquisition time. In typical experimental conditions, such minimas can be as low as 50% of the Raman signal in an unmodulated trap.