Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor
Optics
2023-06-16 v3 Quantum Physics
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 counterpropagating 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.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2209.09759,
title = {Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor},
author = {Yanhui Hu and Jack J. Kingsley-Smith and Maryam Nikkhou and James A. Sabin and Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño and Xiaohao Xu and James Millen},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2209.09759},
year = {2023}
}