Multipolar optical binding in focus

Abstract

The optical binding of gold nanoparticles has conventionally been explored within the Rayleigh limit using dipole approximations. However, the field is increasingly focusing on the Mie regime for particles in the 100–500 nm range, where the dipole approximation is insufficient, and a complex landscape of multipolar resonances must be considered. This can be leveraged to engineer more complex forms of optical matter. To this end, we computationally study the optical binding force landscapes experienced by a pair of AuNPs using the generalized multiparticle Mie theory. We calculate the total optical binding forces and mechanical trap stiffness values at the specific resonance wavelengths where the electric dipole, quadrupole, or octupole modes reach their respective scattering peaks and dominate the mechanical response. We demonstrate that the plasmonic mode symmetry greatly influences the spatial distribution of zero-force nodes and the rigidity of the optically bound dimer. By aligning these multipolar phenomena with standard experimental configurations, this work provides a mechanical framework for programmable metafluids and reconfigurable micromachines, bridging the gap between fundamental electrodynamics and reconfigurable nanomanipulation.