ABSTRACT

The fastest-spinning man-made object is a tiny dumbbell rotating at 5 GHz. The smallest wind-up motor is constructed from a DNA molecule. Picoliter volumes of fluids are remotely controlled and their viscosity precisely measured using microrheometers based on miniscule rotating particles. Theoretical predictions for extraordinarily weak forces related to the presence of dark matter, dark energy and vacuum-induced friction might be revealed, and the surprising properties of light have already been experimentally evidenced. All of these exciting landmarks have only been possible thanks to the torque exerted by light, which enables rotation of an optically trapped particle. Here, we review how light can impart torque on optically trapped particles, paying close attention to the design of the properties of both the particle and the light field. We detail how the maximum achievable rotation speed is limited by the environment, but can simultaneously be used to infer properties of the surrounding medium and of the light field itself. We also review the state-of-the-art applications of light-driven rotors, as well as proposals for the next generation of measurements, particularly at the classical-quantum interface, which can be performed using rotating optically trapped objects.

摘要

旋转最快的人造物体是一个以5 GHz旋转的微小哑铃。最小的发条电动机由DNA分子构成。使用微流变仪，基于微小的旋转颗粒，可以对皮升体积的液体进行远程控制，并精确测量其粘度。与暗物质，暗能量和真空引起的摩擦有关的极弱力的理论预测可能会被揭示出来，并且光的令人惊讶的特性已经通过实验得到了证明。所有这些令人兴奋的地标都只能归功于光所施加的扭矩，该扭矩使光学捕获的粒子能够旋转。在这里，我们回顾了光如何将光施加到光学捕获的粒子上，并密切关注粒子和光场特性的设计。我们详细说明了最大可达到的转速如何受环境限制，但可以同时用于推断周围介质和光场本身的属性。我们还将回顾光驱动转子的最新应用，以及下一代测量的建议，尤其是在经典量子界面上，可以使用旋转的光学捕获物体来执行。