Arthur Ashkin
Encyclopedia
Arthur Ashkin is a retired scientist
who worked at Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies
. He has started his work on manipulation of microparticles with laser light in the late 60s which has resulted in the invention of optical tweezers
in 1986. He has pioneered the optical trapping process that eventually was used to manipulate atoms, molecules, and biological cells. The key phenomenon is the radiation pressure
of light; this pressure can be dissected down into optical gradient and scattering forces. Ashkin has been considered by many as the father of the topical field of optical tweezers
.
Ashkin's pioneering work formed the basis for Steven Chu
's work on cooling and trapping atoms, which earned Chu the 1997 Nobel Prize
in physics
.
Ashkin retired from Bell Labs in 1992 after a 40-year career during which he contributed to many areas of experimental physics. He authored many research papers over the years and holds 47 patents. He was recipient of the Harvey Prize
in 2004 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1984 and to the National Academy of Sciences
in 1996.
Besides optical tweezers, Ashkin is also known for his studies in photorefraction, second harmonic generation
, and non-linear optics in fibers.
Recent advances in physics and biology using optical micromanipulation include achievement of Bose-Einstein-Condensation in atomic vapors at submillikelvin temperatures, demonstration of atom lasers, and detailed measurements on individual motor molecules.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
who worked at Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies
Lucent Technologies
Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., originally Lucent Technologies, Inc. is a French-owned technology company composed of what was formerly AT&T Technologies, which included Western Electric and Bell Labs...
. He has started his work on manipulation of microparticles with laser light in the late 60s which has resulted in the invention of optical tweezers
Optical tweezers
Optical tweezers are scientific instruments that use a highly focused laser beam to provide an attractive or repulsive force , depending on the refractive index mismatch to physically hold and move microscopic dielectric objects...
in 1986. He has pioneered the optical trapping process that eventually was used to manipulate atoms, molecules, and biological cells. The key phenomenon is the radiation pressure
Radiation pressure
Radiation pressure is the pressure exerted upon any surface exposed to electromagnetic radiation. If absorbed, the pressure is the power flux density divided by the speed of light...
of light; this pressure can be dissected down into optical gradient and scattering forces. Ashkin has been considered by many as the father of the topical field of optical tweezers
Optical tweezers
Optical tweezers are scientific instruments that use a highly focused laser beam to provide an attractive or repulsive force , depending on the refractive index mismatch to physically hold and move microscopic dielectric objects...
.
Ashkin's pioneering work formed the basis for Steven Chu
Steven Chu
Steven Chu is an American physicist and the 12th United States Secretary of Energy. Chu is known for his research at Bell Labs in cooling and trapping of atoms with laser light, which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997, along with his scientific colleagues Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and...
's work on cooling and trapping atoms, which earned Chu the 1997 Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
.
Ashkin retired from Bell Labs in 1992 after a 40-year career during which he contributed to many areas of experimental physics. He authored many research papers over the years and holds 47 patents. He was recipient of the Harvey Prize
Harvey Prize
The Harvey Prize is awarded by the Technion in Haifa, Israel. It is awarded in different disciplines of Science, Technology, Human Health, and Contributions to Peace in the Middle East. Two awards - each of $75,000 - are given away annually...
in 2004 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1984 and to the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1996.
Besides optical tweezers, Ashkin is also known for his studies in photorefraction, second harmonic generation
Second harmonic generation
An optical frequency multiplier is a nonlinear optical device, in which photons interacting with a nonlinear material are effectively "combined" to form new photons with greater energy, and thus higher frequency...
, and non-linear optics in fibers.
Recent advances in physics and biology using optical micromanipulation include achievement of Bose-Einstein-Condensation in atomic vapors at submillikelvin temperatures, demonstration of atom lasers, and detailed measurements on individual motor molecules.
External links
- A. Ashkin. Acceleration and Trapping of Particles by Radiation Pressure. Phys. Rev. Lett. 24, 156 - 159 (1970)
- National Academy of Engineering: Member listing
- National Academy of Sciences: Member listing
- Ashkin's Book on Atom Trapping
- Frederic Ives Medal