Angular momentum separation in focused fractional vector beams for optical manipulation

The generation, propagation, and applications of different types of integer vector beams have been extensively investigated. However, little attention focuses on the photophysical and photomechanical properties of the fractional vector beam (FVB). Herein, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the spin angular momentum (SAM) separation and propagation characteristics of weakly focused FVBs. It is demonstrated that such a beam carrying no SAM leads to both the transverse separation of SAM and the special intensity patterns in the focal region. Furthermore, we study the intensity, SAM, and orbital angular momentum (OAM) distributions of the tightly focused FVBs. It is shown that both three-dimensional SAM and OAM are spatially separated in the focal region of tightly focused FVBs. We investigate the optical forces, spin torques, and orbital torques on a dielectric Rayleigh particle produced by the focused FVBs. The results reveal that asymmetrical spinning and orbiting motions of optically trapped particles can be realized by manipulating FVBs. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

Research has extensively investigated the generation, propagation, and applications of integer vector beams, but less attention has been paid to the photophysical and photomechanical properties of fractional vector beams (FVBs). This study explores the spin angular momentum (SAM) separation and propagation characteristics of weakly focused FVBs and the intensity, SAM, and orbital angular momentum (OAM) distributions of tightly focused FVBs. Results show that manipulating FVBs can lead to asymmetrical spinning and orbiting motions of optically trapped particles.