Among the numerous propulsion mechanisms developed in the past to self-propelled nano- and micro particles, light-driven machines are most promising, since they enable a natural spatio-temporal control of the motion. We report a novel fuel-free propulsion mechanism induced by an external light stimulus. The actuation relies on refraction of light, while the net propulsion force emerges from an asymmetric particle shape and a symmetry-broken refractive index profile. Two-photon polymerization is employed for fabrication of the artificial machines, whose geometries and refractive index profiles are optimized with the help of numerical simulations. We demonstrate the directional movement of refractive light-propelled particles, and the increased performance of artificial refractive index machines.
Artificial active nano- and microparticles driven by light are of special interest since their propulsion can easily be controlled via the illumination. Recently, we have established a propulsion mechanism based on asymmetric light refraction caused by a refractive-index gradient. We will introduce into this new approach based on two-photon polymerization of the active particles, and demonstrate active propulsion under illumination as well as pattern formation in colloidal suspensions of these active particles controlled by light.
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