Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor

Yanhui Hu, Jack J. Kingsley-Smith, Maryam Nikkhou, James A. Sabin, Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño, Xiaohao Xu () and James Millen ()
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Yanhui Hu: King’s College London, Strand
Jack J. Kingsley-Smith: King’s College London, Strand
Maryam Nikkhou: King’s College London, Strand
James A. Sabin: King’s College London, Strand
Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño: 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

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38261-7

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