Biologists use optical tweezers to manipulate micron-sized objects using a beam of light. In this technique, a laser beam is focused to a very small-diameter spot. Because small particles are attracted to regions of high light intensity, the focused beam can be used to "grab" onto particles and manipulate them for various experiments. In one experiment, a 10 mW laser beam is focused to a spot that has a diameter of 0.67 μm

Part A: What is the intensity of the light in this spot?

Part B: What is the amplitude of the electric field?

Explanation:

Part A) Using

light intensity I= P/A

A= Area= π (Radius)^2= π((0.67*10^-6m)/(2))^2= 1.12*10^-13 m^2

Radius= Diameter/2

P= power= 10*10^-3=0.01 W

light intensity I= 0.01/(1.12*10^-13)= 9*10^10 W/m^2

Part B)  Using

I=c*ε*E^2/2

rearrange to solve for E= ((I*2)/(c*ε))

c is the speed of light which is 3*10^8 m/s^2

ε=permittivity of free space or dielectric constant= 8.85* 10^-12 F⋅m−1

I= the already solved light intensity= 8.85*10^10 W/m^2

amplitude of the electric field E= (9*10^10 W/m^2)*(2) / (3*10^8 m/s^2)*(8.85* 10^-12 F⋅m−1)

---> E= (1.8*10^11) / (2.66*10^-3) = (6.8*10^13) = 8.25*10^6 V/m