Optical Torques on Dielectric Spheres in a Spin-Gradient Light Field (Laser Photonics Rev. 19(13)/2025)

Abstract

Anomalous Optical Torques on Microspheres

In article number 2500386, Zeyong Wei, C. T. Chan, Yuzhi Shi, Xinbin Cheng and co-workers report an intriguing mechanism to generate reversible optical torques on dielectric spheres by using a spin-gradient light field. This work enhances the common understanding that absorption is necessary to generate optical torques on spherical particles. It will find applications that circumvent heating effects in physical and biomedical sciences.