Effects of spherical aberration on optical trapping forces for Rayleigh particles

The trapping force on Rayleigh particles in an optical tweezers system with an oil immersion objective is calculated by an electromagnetic model. The results indicate that the stability of particles trapped will be affected b y spherical aberration. which is caused by refractive difference between ob jective oil and water solution, when the specimen manipulated is suspended in a water solution. The trapping force and depth of potential well will de crease and the minimum of laser power for ensuring the stability of particl es trapped will increase with the enhanced trapping depth.