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Manuel Nieto-Vesperinas

Publications and source records attributed to Manuel Nieto-Vesperinas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Active, reactive and instantaneous optical forces on small particles in the time domain: Ultrafast attosecond subcycle pulses

Recently discovered reactive optical forces have nule time-average of their instantaneous values on monochromatic illumination, so that their detection suggests the use of ultrafast optics, specially in the femto and attosecond domains. By using illumination with subcycle attosecond evanescent pulses, we report a theoretical study of the time variations of instantaneous forces and the behaviour of reactive forces versus those active \bb on small resonant particles that we consider dipolar. We demonstrate how the structure of these pulses permit to obtain three remarkable novel effects on electric dipoles; namely, a lateral force, a pulling force against the canonical and Poynting momenta of the wavefield, and a levitating effect on the particle under repetition of the pulse. We expect that this study inaugurates a novel research in the area of optical manipulation. Future developments and experiments based on this theory should increase the insight and operation of the ultrafast dynamics of nanostructures.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2023

Spheres of maximum electromagnetic chirality

The search for objects that yield maximum electromagnetic chirality in their emitted wavefield has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, achieving such maximum chirality is challenging, as it typically requires complex chiral metamaterials. Here we demonstrate that chiral spheres can yield maximum chirality in their emitted wavefield. Specifically, we analytically find the spectral trajectories at which chiral spheres become optically transparent to a given helicity of the incident field, while for its opposite helicity, they behave as dual objects, i.e., on scattering, they preserve helicity. Since chiral spheres behave as dual objects at the first Kerker condition of zero backscattering, we significantly simplify this condition in terms of a Riccati-Bessel function. Importantly, all our results are exact and applicable regardless of the multipolar order, refractive index contrast, optical size, and intrinsic chirality of the chiral sphere. Thus, our exact findings can serve as building blocks for designing novel metasurfaces or metamaterials with maximum electromagnetic chirality properties.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2022

The complex Maxwell stress tensor theorem: The imaginary stress tensor and the reactive strength of orbital momentum. A novel scenery underlying electromagnetic and optical forces

We uncover the existence of a universal phenomenon concerning the electromagnetic optical force exerted by light or other electromagnetic waves on a distribution of charges and currents in general, and of particles in particular. This conveys the appearence of underlying reactive quantities that hinder radiation pressure and currently observed time-averaged forces. This constitutes a novel paradigm of the mechanical efficiency of light on matter, and completes the landscape of the electromagnetic force in classical electrodynamics; widening our understanding in the design of both illumination and particles in optical manipulation without the need of increasing the illuminating power, and thus lowering dissipation and heating. We show that this may be accomplished through the minimization of what we establish as the reactive strength of canonical (i.e. orbital) momentum, which plays against the optical force a role analogous to that of the reactive power versus the radiation efficiency of an antenna. This long time overlooked quantity, important for current progress of optical manipulation, and that stems from the complex Maxwell theorem of conservation of complex momentum that we put forward, as well as its alternating flow associated to the imaginary part of the complex Maxwell stress tensor, conform the imaginary Lorentz force that we introduce in this work, and that like the reactive strength of orbital momentum, is antagonic to the well-known time-averaged force; thus making this reactive Lorentz force indirectly observable near wavelengths at which the time-averaged force is lowered.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2022

Observation of high-order imaginary Poynting momentum optomechanics in structured light

The imaginary Poynting momentum (IPM) of light has been captivated an unusual origin of optomechanical effects on dipolar magnetoelectric particles, but yet observed in experiments. Here, we report, for the very first time, a whole family of high-order IPM forces for not only magnetoelectric but also generic Mie particles, assisted with their excited higher multipoles within. Such optomechanical phenomena derive from a nonlinear contribution of the IPM to the optical force, and can be remarkable even when the incident IPM is small. We observe the high-order optomechanics in a structured light beam with vortex-like IPM streamlines, which allows the low-order dipolar contribution to be suppressed. Our results provide the first unambiguous evidence of the ponderomotive nature of the IPM, expand the classification of optical forces and open new possibilities for optical forces and micromanipulations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2021

Reactive helicity and reactive power in nanoscale optics: Evanescent waves. Kerker conditions. Optical theorems and reactive dichroism

We put forward the complex helicity theorem. It constitutes a novel law that rules the build-up of the reactive helicity through its zero time-average flow. Its imaginary Poynting momentum accounts for the accretion of reactive power, are illustrated in: evanescent waves and fields scattered from magnetodielectric dipolar nanoparticles. As for the former, we show that its reactive helicity may be experimentally observed as we introduce a reactive spin momentum and a reactive orbital momentum in terms of which we express the imaginary field momentum, whose transversal component produces an optical force on a magnetoelectric particle that, as we illustrate, may surpass and can be discriminated from, the known force due to the so-called extraordinary momentum. We also uncover a non-conservative force on such a magnetoelectric particle, acting in the decay direction of the evanescent wave, and that may also be discriminated from the standard gradient force; thus making the reactive power of the wavefield also observable. Concerning the light scattered by magnetoelectric nanoparticles, we establish two optical theorems that govern the accretion of reactive helicity and reactive power on extinction of incident wave helicity and energy. Like a nule total -- internal plus external -- reactive power is at the root of a resonant scattered power, we show that a zero total reactive helicity underlies a resonant scattered helicity. The first Kerker condition, under which the particle becomes dual on illumination with circularly polarized light, we demonstrate to amount to a nule overall scattered reactive helicity. and emission. We discover a discriminatory property of the reactive helicity of chiral light incident on a chiral nanoparticle by excitation of the external reactive power. This for optical near-field enantiomeric separation, we call reactive dichroism.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2019

Fundamentals and model of resonance helicity and energy transfer between two magnetoelectric chiral particles

We establish a classical electrodynamic theory for the non-radiative transfer of field helicity (RHELT) and energy (RET) between a donor and an acceptor, both being dipolar, magnetoelectric and bi-isotropic, chiral in particular, with rotating excited dipoles. We introduce orientational factors that control this process. Also, a RHELT and RET interaction radius is put forward. The detection of RHELT adds a wealth of information contained in the helicity of the transferred fields, never used or established to date. The nature of these dipolar magnetoelectric bi-isotropic particles and/or molecules with induced dipoles possessing angular momentum, enriches the number of variables and associated effects. Hence the landscape involved in this transfer phenomenon, never explored before, is significantly broader than in conventional FRET. In this way, chiral interacting objects convey terms in the equations of transfer rate of helicity and energy that are discriminatory, so that one can extract information on their structural chirality handedness and polarization rotation. As such, not only the rate of electromagnetic helicity transfer, but also that of energy transfer may be negative, which for the latter means an enhanced emission from the donor in pressence of acceptor, a phenomenon which does not exist in conventional FRET. Importantly, both the RHELT and RET rates, as well as the RHELT interaction radius, are very sensitive to changes in the helicity, or state of polarization, of the illumination, as well as to the polarization of the excited electric and magnetic dipole moments of donor and acceptor. Finally, we introduce the observable quanties in terms of which one can obtain the transfer rates and interaction radii.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2018

Role of Geometric Shape in Chiral Optics

The distinction of chiral and mirror symmetric objects is straightforward from a geometrical point of view. Since the biological as well as the optical activity of molecules strongly depend on their handedness, chirality has recently attracted high interest in the field of nano-optics. Various aspects of associated phenomena including the influences of internal and external degrees of freedom on the optical response have been discussed. Here, we propose a constructive method to evaluate the possibility of observing any chiral response from an optical scatterer. Based on solely the T-matrix of one enantiomer, planes of minimal chiral response are located and compared to geometric mirror planes. This provides insights into the relation of geometric and optical properties and enables identifying the potential of chiral scatterers for nano-optical experiments.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2018

Optical Chirality of Time-Harmonic Wavefields for Classification of Scatterers

We derive expressions for the scattering, extinction and conversion of the chirality of monochromatic light scattered by bodies which are characterized by a T-matrix. In analogy to the conditions obtained from the conservation of energy, these quantities enable the classification of arbitrary scattering objects due to their full, i.e. either chiral or achiral, electromagnetic response. To this end, we put forward and determine the concepts of duality and breaking of duality symmetry, anti-duality, helicity variation, helicity annhiliation and the breaking of helicity annihilation. Different classes, such as chiral and dual scatterers, are illustrated in this analysis with model examples of spherical and non-spherical shape. As for spheres, these concepts are analysed by considering non-Rayleigh dipolar dielectric particles of high refractive index, which, having a strong magnetic response to the incident wavefield, offer an excellent laboratory to test and interpret such changes in the chirality of the illumination. In addition, comparisons with existing experimental data are made.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2018

Chiral scatterers designed by Bayesian optimization

The helicity or chirality of scattered light is strongly linked to the dual symmetry of the scatterer. The latter depends on chiral materials or on scatterers which are not superimposable with their mirror image. This inherently yields asymmetric structures of various shapes with many degrees of freedom. In order to explore these high dimensional parameter spaces, numerical simulations and especially optimization strategies are a valueable tool. Here, we optimize the emission of chiral line sources in two-dimensional dimer setups using Bayesian optimization. We deduce relevant objective functions from recent theoretical findings for chiral electromagnetic fields and employ rigorous simulations of Maxwell's equations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2017

Optical binding via surface plasmon polariton interference

Optical binding allows creation of mechanically stable nanoparticle configurations owing to formation of self-consistent optical trapping potentials. While the classical diffraction limit prevents achieving deeply subwavelength arrangements, auxiliary nanostructures enable tailoring optical forces via additional interaction channels. Here, a dimer configuration next to metal surface was analyzed in details and the contribution of surface plasmon polariton waves was found to govern the interaction dynamics. It was shown that the interaction channel, mediated by resonant surface waves, enables achieving subwavelength stable dimers. Furthermore, the vectorial structure of surface modes allows binding between two dipole nanoparticles along the direction of their dipole moments, contrary to vacuum binding, where a stable configuration is formed in the direction oriented perpendicularly to the polarization of dipole moments. In addition, the enhancement of optical binding stiffness for one order of magnitude was predicted owing to the surface plasmon polariton interaction channel. These phenomena pave a way for developing new flexible optical manipulators, allowing for the control over a nanoparticle trajectory on subwavelength scales and opens a room of opportunities for optical-induced anisotropic, i.e. with different periods along the field polarization as well as perpendicular to it, organization of particles on a plasmonic substrate.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2017

Consistency of time averaged optical force laws for embedded chiral and achiral objects

Although it is commonly believed that all the volumetric optical force laws should lead to the same total optical force for chiral and achiral objects, this idea has been invalidated in some recent works by investigating several previous experiments involving material background. To identify the exact reason of such significant disagreement, we inspect two tractor beam and one lateral force experiments on using distinct stress tensors (STs). To solve the problems of total force, we propose two consistency conditions of time averaged forces. We demonstrate that exactly at the boundary of an object, the difference of the consistent external Minkowski ST and internal ST of Chu (and Einstein-Laub) is found in agreement with the surface force yielded by Chu (and Einstein-Laub) force only when the background is air rather than a material. We identify this as one of the main reasons (among few other identified reasons) of the disagreements observed for real experiments. Finally, based on the proposed consistency conditions, we demonstrate that: by modifying the Einstein-Laub or Chu formulation, time-averaged STs and volume forces are obtainable those can overcome the aforementioned inconsistencies of real experiments for both chiral and achiral Mie objects embedded in even complex material backgrounds.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2017

Non-zero helicity extinction in light scattered from achiral (or chiral) small particles located at points of null incident helicity density

Based on a recent unified formulation on dichorism and extinction of helicity on scattering by a small particle, dipolar in the wide sense, magnetodielectric or not, chiral or achiral, we show that such extinction is enhanced not only at resonances of the polarizabilities, but also due to interference between left and right circularly polarized components of the incident wave, which contributes with appropriate parameters of the illuminating field, even if the particle is achiral and is placed at points of the incident field at which the local incident helicity density is zero. This phenomenon goes beyond standard circular dichroism (CD), and we analyze it in detail on account of the values of the several quantities, both of the incident light and the particle, involved in the process. In addition, this interference produces a term in the helicity extinction that remarkably yields information on the real parts of the electric and/or magnetic polarizabilities, which are not provided by CD, of which that helicity extinction phenomenon may be considered a generalization.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2016

Chiral optical fields: A unified formulation of helicity scattered from particles and dichroism enhancement

We establish a general unified formulation which, using the optical theorem of electromagnetic helicity, shows that dichorism is a phenomenon arising in any scattering -or diffraction- process, elastic or not, of chiral electromagnetic fields by objects either chiral or achiral. It is shown how this approach paves the way to overcoming well-known limitations of standard circular dichroism, like its weak signal or the difficulties of using it with magnetodielectric particles. Based on the angular spectrum representation of optical fields with only right circular or left circular plane waves, we introduce beams with transverse elliptic polarization and posessing a longitudinal component. Then our formulation for general optical fields shows how to enhance the extinction rate of incident helicity, (and therefore the dichroism signal), versus that of energy of the light scattered or emitted by a particle, or viceversa.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2015

Dielectric spheres with maximum forward scattering and zero backscattering: A search for their material composition

Nanoparticles exhibiting zero backscattering but a large scattering cross section in the forward direction should play a key role as light diffracting elements in photonic devices like solar cells. Using Mie theory we address lossless dielectric spheres that were recently reported to possess a magnetodielectric response to the illuminating wave, and analyze their scattering cross section together with their zero-backwards scattering conditions. We show that there is an optimum particle refractive index (m = 2.47), which yields maximum forward scattering without backwards scattering of light.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2015

The optical theorem for the conservation of the electromagnetic helicity: Its significance for molecular transfer and enantiomeric discrimination by dichroism

We put forward the physical meaning of the conservation equation for the helicity on scattering of an electromagnetic field with a generally magnetodielectric bi-isotropic dipolar object. This is the optical theorem for the helicity that, as we find, plays a role for this quantity analogous to that of the optical thorem for energy. We discuss its consequences for helicity transfer between molecules and for new detection procedures of circular dichroism based on ellipsometric measurements.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2015

The optical torque: Electromagnetic spin and orbital angular momenta conservation laws and their significance

The physics involved in the fundamental conservation equations of the spin and orbital angular momenta leads to new laws and phenomena that I disclose. To this end, I analyse the scattering of an electromagnetic wavefield by the canonical system constituted by a small particle, which I assume dipolar in the wide sense. Specifically, under quite general conditions these laws lead to understanding how is the contribution and weight of each of those angular momenta to the electromagnetic torque exerted by the field on the object, which is shown to consist of an extinction and a scattering, or recoil, part. This leads to an interpretation of its effect different to that taken up till now by many theoretical and experimental works, and implies that a part of the recoil torque cancels the usually called intrinsic torque which was often considered responsible of the particle spinning. In addition, I obtain the contribution of the spatial structure of the wave to this torque, unknown to this date, showing its effect in the orbiting of the object, and demonstrating that it often leads to a negative torque on a single particle, i.e. opposite to the incident helicity, producing an orbital motion contrary to its spinning. Furthermore, I establish a decomposition of the electromagnetic torque into conservative and non-conservative components in which the helicity and its flow play a role analogous to the energy and its flux for electromagnetic forces. I illustrate these phenomena with examples of beams, also showing the difficulties of some paraxial formulations whose fields do not hold the transversality condition.

physics.optics↗