• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Negative Nonconservative Forces: Optical “Tractor Beams” for Arbitrary Objects

S. Sukhov and A. Dogariu
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 203602 – Published 10 November 2011
Physics logo See Synopsis: Tractor Beams Shine Light in the Shadows

Abstract

Based on the conservation of linear momentum on scattering from arbitrary objects, we demonstrate the generation of nonconservative optical forces that act in a direction opposite to the propagation of the incident beam. The concept can be applied to tailor the force fields produced on nonabsorbing bodies regardless of their sizes and shapes.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 17 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.203602

© 2011 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Tractor Beams Shine Light in the Shadows

Published 10 November 2011

Theorists have devised two new ways to drag objects towards a light source.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

S. Sukhov* and A. Dogariu

  • CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA

  • *ssukhov@creol.ucf.edu
  • adogariu@creol.ucf.edu

See Also

Single Gradientless Light Beam Drags Particles as Tractor Beams

Andrey Novitsky, Cheng-Wei Qiu, and Haifeng Wang
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 203601 (2011)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 20 — 11 November 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×