We propose a method to experimentally determine the Clausius–Mossotti factors and surface capacitances of colloidal particles. This two-step method is based on the following: (i) a precise positioning of particles on activated electrodes according to the applied frequency of an electric field and (ii) particles velocities measurements from a pure dielectrophoretic regime to build the Clausius–Mossotti factor. It confirms previous literature methods and measures the surface capacitance values for a wide range of particles such as polystyrene, silica, and gold whose diameters are at least 200 nm.

We experimentally demonstrate an ultra high Q/V nanocavity on SOI substrate. The design is based on modal adaptation within the cavity and allows to measure a quality factor of 58.000 for a modal volume of 0.6(lambda/n)(3) . This record Q/V value of 10(5) achieved for a structure standing on a physical substrate, rather than on membrane, is in very good agreement with theoretical predictions also shown. Based on these experimental results, we show that further refinements of the cavity design could lead to Q/V ratios close to 10(6).

The fundamentals of the near-field interaction between a subwavelength metallic tip and a photonic-crystal nanocavity are investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is shown experimentally that the cavity resonance is tuned without any degradation by the presence of the tip and that the reported near-field interaction is strongly related to the field distribution within the nanostructure. Then, in light of a perturbation theory, we show that this interaction is selectively related to the electric field or magnetic field distribution within the cavity, depending on the tip properties. © 2007 The American Physical Society