Laser trapping of deformable objects.

We report the trapping and manipulation of bubbles in viscous glass melts through the use of a laser. This phenomenon is observed in bubbles tens of micrometers in diameter under illumination by low numerical aperture (NA = 0.55). Once the bubble was centered on the optical axis, it was trapped and followed a lateral relocation of the laser beam. This phenomenon is explained by modifications of the bubble's shape induced by axial heating and a decrease in surface tension. It is shown that formation of a concave dimple on the bubble's front surface explains the observed laser trapping and manipulation. This mechanism of laser trapping is expected to take place in other deformable materials and can also be used to remove bubbles from melts or liquids. For this technique to be effective, the alteration of the bubble's shape should be faster than its expulsion out of the laser's point of focus.