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Stable optical lift

Nature Photonics volume 5, pages 48–51 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

We have predicted and observed an optical analogue of aerodynamic lift, in which a cambered refractive object with differently shaped top and bottom surfaces experiences a transverse lift force when placed in a uniform stream of light. A semi-cylindrical rod is found to automatically torque into a stable angle of attack, and then exhibit uniform motion. We have experimentally verified this using a micrometer-scale ‘lightfoil’ which was fabricated using photolithographic techniques, immersed in water and illuminated with milliwatt-scale laser light. Unlike optical tweezers, an intensity gradient is not required to achieve a transverse force. Many rods may therefore be lifted simultaneously in a single quasi-uniform beam of light. We propose using optical lift to power micromachines, transport microscopic particles in a liquid, or to improve the design of solar sails for interstellar space travel.

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Figure 1: Ray-tracing illustration at different angles of attack for a glass rod in water.
Figure 2: Stable rotational equilibrium predictions.
Figure 3: Experimental configuration for observing optical lift.
Figure 4: Experimental verification of optical lift.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank S.J. Martin, Sandia National Laboratories, for useful discussions on the modelling of optical forces. The authors also benefited from conversations about the Abraham–Minkowski controversy with A. Kaplan (Johns Hopkins University) and S. Barnett (University of Strathclyde).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and the Department of Physics, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, 14623, New York, USA

    Grover A. Swartzlander Jr & Alexandra B. Artusio-Glimpse

  2. Computer Science Department, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, 14623, New York, USA

    Timothy J. Peterson

  3. Semiconductor and Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, 14623, New York, USA

    Alan D. Raisanen

Authors
  1. Grover A. Swartzlander Jr
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  2. Timothy J. Peterson
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  3. Alexandra B. Artusio-Glimpse
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  4. Alan D. Raisanen
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Contributions

G.A.S. developed the concept and contributed to the design of the numerical and experimental study. T.J.P. modelled the system in POV-Ray. A.B.A. carried out the experimental measurements. A.D.R. fabricated the lightfoils.

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Correspondence to Grover A. Swartzlander Jr.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Swartzlander, G., Peterson, T., Artusio-Glimpse, A. et al. Stable optical lift. Nature Photon 5, 48–51 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2010.266

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