Open AccessRadiation torque on nonspherical particles in the transition matrix formalism
Author(s) -
Ferdinando Borghese,
P. Denti,
Rosalba Saija,
Maria Antonia Iatı̀
Publication year - 2006
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.14.009508
Subject(s) - physics , axial symmetry , torque , classical mechanics , radiation , formalism (music) , spheres , transition radiation , rotational symmetry , optics , electromagnetic radiation , plane wave , mechanics , quantum mechanics , art , musical , visual arts , astronomy
The torque exerted by radiation on small particles is recognized to have a considerable relevance, e.g., on the dynamics of cosmic dust grains and for the manipulation of micro and nanoparticles under controlled conditions. In the present paper we derive, in the transition matrix formalism, the radiation torque applied by a plane polarized wave on nonspherical particles. In case of circularly polarized waves impinging on spherical particles our equations reproduce the findings of Marston and Crichton [Phys. Rev. A 30, 2508-2516 (1984)]. Our equations were applied to calculate the torque on a few model particles shaped as aggregates of identical spheres, both axially symmetric and lacking any symmetry, and the conditions for the stability of the induced rotational motion are discussed.