Rotation of microscopic discs by the angular momentum of light

Alejandro V. Arzola; Martin Šiler; Oto Brzobohatý; Petr Jákl; Pavel Zemánek

doi:10.1117/12.930029

10 October 2012 Rotation of microscopic discs by the angular momentum of light

Alejandro V. Arzola, Martin Šiler, Oto Brzobohatý, Petr Jákl, Pavel Zemánek

Proceedings Volume 8458, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation IX; 84582U (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930029
Event: SPIE NanoScience + Engineering, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

While the behavior of spherical particles confined in light beams is well-studied, the dynamics of confined nonspherical particles may be qualitatively different, but remain largely unexplored. We studied the rotation of microscopic dielectric discs induced by the incident angular momentum of an elliptically polarized Laguerre- Gaussian beam. These flat particles are confined in three dimensions by the beam and are oriented naturally with its long axis along the direction of the propagation of the beam. Due to the rotationally asymmetric shape of the particles, we were able to induce a constant rotation of the particles and control it by changing the vorticity and ellipticity of the beam. We also showed a strong dependence on the induced rotation respect to size of the particles. These results provide a new approach to generate or study flows in the microscopic realm as an alternative to the former techniques based on birefringent, absorbent or chiral particles.

Citation Download Citation

Alejandro V. Arzola, Martin Šiler, Oto Brzobohatý, Petr Jákl, and Pavel Zemánek "Rotation of microscopic discs by the angular momentum of light", Proc. SPIE 8458, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation IX, 84582U (10 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930029

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available