The zoo of nonconservative optical forces

S V Sukhov

Optical forces are usually described as conservative ones originating from intensity gradients in optical tweezers. However, the fundamental optical action on matter is nonconservative. In contrast to gradient forces, the spectrum of action of nonconservative forces is much wider: they can propel, pull, rotate objects or move objects along complicated trajectories. Different manifestations of nonconservative optical forces will be reviewed and their dependence on the specific spatial properties of optical fields will be discussed. New developments relevant to the nonconservative optical forces such as negative forces (tractor beams) and transversal forces will also be discussed.

DOI