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Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor

Author

Listed:
  • Yanhui Hu

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

  • Jack J. Kingsley-Smith

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

  • Maryam Nikkhou

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

  • James A. Sabin

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

  • Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

  • Xiaohao Xu

    (Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • James Millen

    (King’s College London, Strand
    King’s College London, Strand)

Abstract

The momentum carried by structured light fields exhibits a rich array of surprising features. In this work, we generate transverse orbital angular momentum (TOAM) in the interference field of two parallel and counter-propagating linearly-polarised focused beams, synthesising an array of identical handedness vortices carrying intrinsic TOAM. We explore this structured light field using an optomechanical sensor, consisting of an optically levitated silicon nanorod, whose rotation is a probe of the optical angular momentum, which generates an exceptionally large torque. This simple creation and direct observation of TOAM will have applications in studies of fundamental physics, the optical manipulation of matter and quantum optomechanics.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38261-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38261-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. Stefan Kuhn & Benjamin A. Stickler & Alon Kosloff & Fernando Patolsky & Klaus Hornberger & Markus Arndt & James Millen, 2017. "Optically driven ultra-stable nanomechanical rotor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-5, December.
    3. Konstantin Y. Bliokh & Aleksandr Y. Bekshaev & Franco Nori, 2014. "Extraordinary momentum and spin in evanescent waves," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, May.
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