Simultaneous transfer of linear and orbital angular momentum to multiple low-index particles

Abstract

We demonstrate simultaneous transfer of linear and orbital angular momentum (OAM) to hollow glass microbeads using a dynamic array of optical vortices. Previous reports have shown that the transfer of OAM is due to light scattering which creates a tangential force on a particle and causes it to move on a circular orbit around a vortex. In this paper we describe a case with reduced frictional force, as the low-index particle is pinned to the wall of the sample cell. This results in a more efficient transfer of OAM, which sets a hollow microbead into orbital motion around the optical vortex. We show that the localized OAM carried by each vortex in the array can be independently transferred to one microbead trapped per vortex. Finally, we present novel demonstrations showing simultaneous transfer of both orbital angular and linear momentum to multiple microbeads.