arXiv · 0912.2247
Transverse radiation force in a tailored optical fiber
Abstract
We show, by means of simple model calculations, how a weak laser beam sent through an optical fiber exerts a transverse radiation force if there is an azimuthal asymmetry present in the fiber such that one side has a slightly different refractive index than the other. The refractive index difference $\Delta n$ needs only to be very small, of order $10^{-3}$, in order to produce an appreciable transverse displacement of order 10 microns. We argue that the effect has probably already been seen in a recent experiment of She et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 243601 (2008)], and we discuss correspondence between these observations and the theory presented. The effect could be used to bend optical fibers in a predictable and controlled manner and we propose that it could be useful for micron-scale devices.
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Iver Brevik, Simen Å. Ellingsen. 2009-12-11. Transverse radiation force in a tailored optical fiber. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.81.011806
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