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Crossover from positive to negative optical torque in mesoscale optical matter

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Han

    (Clarkson University)

  • John A. Parker

    (James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago
    The University of Chicago)

  • Yuval Yifat

    (James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago)

  • Curtis Peterson

    (James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago
    The University of Chicago)

  • Stephen K. Gray

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Norbert F. Scherer

    (James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago
    The University of Chicago)

  • Zijie Yan

    (Clarkson University)

Abstract

The photons in circularly polarized light can transfer their quantized spin angular momentum to micro- and nanostructures via absorption and scattering. This normally exerts positive torque on the objects wher the sign (i.e., handedness or angular direction) follows that of the spin angular momentum. Here we show that the sign of the optical torque can be negative in mesoscopic optical matter arrays of metal nanoparticles (NPs) assembled in circularly polarized optical traps. Crossover from positive to negative optical torque, which occurs for arrays with different number, separation and configuration of the constituent particles, is shown to result from many-body interactions as clarified by electrodynamics simulations. Our results establish that both positive and negative optical torque can be readily realized and controlled in optical matter arrays. This property and reconfigurability of the arrays makes possible programmable materials for optomechanical, microrheological and biological applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Han & John A. Parker & Yuval Yifat & Curtis Peterson & Stephen K. Gray & Norbert F. Scherer & Zijie Yan, 2018. "Crossover from positive to negative optical torque in mesoscale optical matter," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07376-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07376-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Chih-Hao Huang & Boris Louis & Roger Bresolí-Obach & Tetsuhiro Kudo & Rafael Camacho & Ivan G. Scheblykin & Teruki Sugiyama & Johan Hofkens & Hiroshi Masuhara, 2022. "The primeval optical evolving matter by optical binding inside and outside the photon beam," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. 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.
    3. 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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