Simulation Study on The Sorting of Chiral Active Brownian Colloids By Optical Barriers

This study considers the dynamics of chiral active Brownian particles (CABPs) through numerical simulations conducted under the influence of an optical field. Unlike passive Brownian particles, CABPs possess a propulsion mechanism and a chiral torque that induce curved trajectories, complex motion, and out-of-equilibrium behavior. These properties make CABPs interesting for both theoretical research and potential applications in the control of active matter. In simulations, CABPs are modeled as spherical particles with a refractive index suspended in a fluid medium (water). When illuminated by an optical field, these particles experience optical forces due to the momentum transfer from the light field, which affects their motion. This interaction provides a powerful method for guiding, confining, or sorting them based on their motile characteristics. As a result, the study demonstrates that optical fields can serve as both static and dynamic barriers, significantly influencing the trajectories of particles. The findings present that optical landscapes can separate and orient CABPs based on their propulsion speed and chirality. The study emphasizes the potential of optical manipulation as a tunable technique for chiral active particles in complex environments.