A simple table-top demonstration of radiation pressure on a macroscopic object

TL;DR

This paper presents a straightforward, table-top demonstration of radiation pressure on a macroscopic object using a modulated laser and dynamic force microscopy, suitable for undergraduate labs.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, accessible experimental setup to observe radiation pressure on a macroscopic object in a classroom setting.

Findings

Resonant motion of a cantilever driven by laser was directly observed.

The setup demonstrates radiation pressure effects in ambient conditions.

The experiment is suitable for educational purposes in undergraduate physics labs.

Abstract

We report a simple demonstration of radiation pressure on a table-top experiment. Utilizing dynamic force microscopy in ambient environment, the resonant motion of a cm-sized cantilever driven by an amplitude-modulated diode laser is directly observed. Our versatile setup involves a host of exciting techniques that are relevant in precision force measurements and represents an ideal experiment in the undergraduate laboratory.