Optical tweezers with structured light
Exploring how light’s angular momentum shapes optical forces and particle dynamics.
Optical tweezers use tightly focused laser beams to trap and manipulate microscopic particles. By tailoring the spatial structure and polarization of the beam, it is possible to control not only the particle’s position but also its rotation and internal modes of motion.
In our work, we study optical tweezers formed by vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum. Using a multipolar decomposition framework, we reveal how the interference between electric and magnetic multipoles governs the stability and efficiency of the optical trap. This approach enables on-axis trapping of high-index particles, even in regimes where conventional Gaussian tweezers fail.
Our goal is to exploit structured light to design new types of optical traps with tunable stiffness and torque, paving the way for advanced optomechanical systems and precision measurements.
Keywords: optical tweezers, vortex beams, structured light, multipolar decomposition.