arXiv · 1504.01766
Dynamic Consequences of Optical Spin-Orbit Interaction
Abstract
When circularly polarized wave scatters off a sphere, the scattered field forms a vortex with spiraling energy flow. This is due to the transformation of spin angular momentum into orbital one. Here we demonstrate that during this scattering an anomalous force can be induced that acts in a direction perpendicular to the propagation of incident wave. The appearance of this lateral force is made possible by the presence of an interface in the vicinity of scattering object. Besides radiation pressure and tractor-beam pulling forces, this lateral force is another type of non-conservative force that can be produced with unstructured light beams.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Sergey Sukhov, Veerachart Kajorndejnukul, Aristide Dogariu. 2015-04-07. Dynamic Consequences of Optical Spin-Orbit Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2015.200
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.