Researchers discover optical torque components produced from light’s reactive helicity gradient and momentum curl. They introduce and demonstrate the concept of lateral optical torque to spin objects, transversely to the spin of illumination. The principle of optical spanner is re-examined, highlighting the impact of orbital angular momentum on the torque and its negative manifestation.
- Xiaohao Xu
- Manuel Nieto-Vesperinas
- Baoli Yao