Open AccessOptical angular momentum transfer to transparent isotropic particles using laser beam carrying zero average angular momentum
Author(s) -
Enrico Santamato,
Antonio Sasso,
Bruno Piccirillo,
Angela Vella
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.10.000871
Subject(s) - angular momentum , angular momentum of light , orbital angular momentum of light , physics , optics , angular momentum coupling , orbital angular momentum multiplexing , total angular momentum quantum number , momentum transfer , orbital motion , light beam , isotropy , classical mechanics , scattering
The torque exerted by an astigmatic optical beam on small transparent isotropic particles was dynamically measured observing the angular motion of the particles under a microscope. The data confirmed that torque was originated by the transfer of orbital angular momentum associated with the spatial changes in the phase of the optical field induced by the moving particle. This mechanism for angular momentum transfer works also with incident light beams with no net angular momentum.