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Transverse spin forces and non-equilibrium particle dynamics in a circularly polarized vacuum optical trap

Author

Listed:
  • V. Svak

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • O. Brzobohatý

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • M. Šiler

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • P. Jákl

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • J. Kaňka

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • P. Zemánek

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

  • S. H. Simpson

    (The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Scientific Instruments)

Abstract

We provide a vivid demonstration of the mechanical effect of transverse spin momentum in an optical beam in free space. This component of the Poynting momentum was previously thought to be virtual, and unmeasurable. Here, its effect is revealed in the inertial motion of a probe particle in a circularly polarized Gaussian trap, in vacuum. Transverse spin forces combine with thermal fluctuations to induce a striking range of non-equilibrium phenomena. With increasing beam power we observe (i) growing departures from energy equipartition, (ii) the formation of coherent, thermally excited orbits and, ultimately, (iii) the ejection of the particle from the trap. As well as corroborating existing measurements of spin momentum, our results reveal its dynamic effect. We show how the under-damped motion of probe particles in structured light fields can expose the nature and morphology of optical momentum flows, and provide a testbed for elementary non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.

Suggested Citation

  • V. Svak & O. Brzobohatý & M. Šiler & P. Jákl & J. Kaňka & P. Zemánek & S. H. Simpson, 2018. "Transverse spin forces and non-equilibrium particle dynamics in a circularly polarized vacuum optical trap," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07866-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07866-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Yanhui Hu & Jack J. Kingsley-Smith & Maryam Nikkhou & James A. Sabin & Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño & Xiaohao Xu & James Millen, 2023. "Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Fan Nan & Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño & Shaohui Yan & Jack J. Kingsley-Smith & Jack Ng & Baoli Yao & Zijie Yan & Xiaohao Xu, 2023. "Creating tunable lateral optical forces through multipolar interplay in single nanowires," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Xiao Li & Yineng Liu & Zhifang Lin & Jack Ng & C. T. Chan, 2021. "Non-Hermitian physics for optical manipulation uncovers inherent instability of large clusters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Xiao Li & Yongyin Cao & Jack Ng, 2024. "Non-Hermitian non-equipartition theory for trapped particles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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