Optomechanics deals with the control and applications of mechanical effects of light that stems from the redistribution of photon momenta in light scattering. As an example, light-induced levitation of an infinitesimally small dipolar particle is expected in front of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials. However, a theoretical understanding of these effects on single-material and multi-material larger particles is still lacking. Here, we investigate, analytically and numerically, optical forces on polarizable particles with size ranging from 20 nm to a 1 μm in proximity of ENZ metamaterials. We look at the general features of the repulsive-attractive optomechanics from the nano to the microscale exploiting different theoretical methods (dipole approximation, finite elements calculations, transition (T-)matrix). We discuss the role of realistic layered materials, as our ENZ substrate, on optical forces and analyze the influence of composition and shape by studying a range of complex particles (dielectric, core-shell, plasmonic ellipsoids). Physical insights into the results are discussed and future research directions are forecasted. Our results provide possibilities in exploiting engineered materials and surfaces for the manipulation and tailoring of light-induced forces in optomechanics.

Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ)-based optomechanics

Saija Rosalba
;
2023-01-01

Abstract

Optomechanics deals with the control and applications of mechanical effects of light that stems from the redistribution of photon momenta in light scattering. As an example, light-induced levitation of an infinitesimally small dipolar particle is expected in front of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials. However, a theoretical understanding of these effects on single-material and multi-material larger particles is still lacking. Here, we investigate, analytically and numerically, optical forces on polarizable particles with size ranging from 20 nm to a 1 μm in proximity of ENZ metamaterials. We look at the general features of the repulsive-attractive optomechanics from the nano to the microscale exploiting different theoretical methods (dipole approximation, finite elements calculations, transition (T-)matrix). We discuss the role of realistic layered materials, as our ENZ substrate, on optical forces and analyze the influence of composition and shape by studying a range of complex particles (dielectric, core-shell, plasmonic ellipsoids). Physical insights into the results are discussed and future research directions are forecasted. Our results provide possibilities in exploiting engineered materials and surfaces for the manipulation and tailoring of light-induced forces in optomechanics.
2023
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
s42005-023-01186-0.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.32 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.32 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11570/3304929
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 2
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact