Direct measurements of the extraordinary optical momentum and transverse spin-dependent force using a nano-cantilever

TL;DR

This paper reports the direct measurement of an extraordinary optical momentum and transverse spin-dependent force using a nano-cantilever, revealing new fundamental properties of light's momentum in structured fields.

Contribution

It provides the first direct experimental observation of a transverse optical force linked to optical spin, challenging traditional assumptions about light momentum direction.

Findings

Measured transverse optical force proportional to optical spin

Observed polarization-dependent transverse force related to complex Poynting vector

Revealed new optical forces in evanescent fields

Abstract

Known since Kepler's observation that a comet's tail is oriented away from the sun, radiation pressure stimulated remarkable discoveries in electromagnetism, quantum physics and relativity [1,2]. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in a variety of systems, from atomic [3-5] to astronomical [6] scales. The pressure of light is associated with the momentum of photons, and it is usually assumed that both the optical momentum and the radiation-pressure force are naturally aligned with the propagation of light, i.e., its wavevector. Here we report the direct observation of an extraordinary optical momentum and force directed perpendicular to the wavevector, and proportional to the optical spin (i.e., degree of circular polarization). Such optical force was recently predicted for evanescent waves [7] and other structured fields [8]. It can be associated with the enigmatic "spin-momentum" part of the Poynting vector, which was introduced by Belinfante in field theory 75 years ago [9-11]. We measure this unusual transverse momentum using a nano-cantilever capable of femto-Newton resolution, which is immersed in an evanescent optical field above the total-internal-reflecting glass surface. Furthermore, the transverse force we measure exhibits another polarization-dependent contribution determined by the imaginary part of the complex Poynting vector. By revealing new types of optical forces in structured fields, our experimental findings revisit fundamental momentum properties of light and bring a new twist to optomechanics.