A theoretical and experimental study of the stable equilibrium positions of spheres levitated by two horizontal laser beams

We show that there are various stable equilibrium positions for transparent glass spheres levitated by two horizontal TEM₀₀ laser beams. We present both a theoretical study of the equilibrium positions and the experimental results confirming our theory. To carry out this work, we perform a technique for micromanipulation of microspheres by laser beams. Considering the precision and the stability obtained, this technique could be used to settle the spherical targets involved in laser experiments.