Rotation of large asymmetrical absorbing objects by Laguerre-Gauss beams

In this Letter, we show the manipulation and rotation of opaque graphite through adhesion with optically trapped polystyrene spheres. The absorbing graphite is rotated by the orbital angular momentum transfer from a Laguerre Gauss laser mode and is trapped due to the presence of refracting spheres. This technique is effective for trapping and rotating absorbing objects of all sizes, including those larger than the laser mode. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America