Precise revolution control in three-dimensional off-axis trapping with single Laguerre-Gaussian beam

We report the precise study of orbital angular momentum transfer from Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams to submicrometer-sized dielectric spheres. Stable three-dimensional off-axis trapping of the spheres was achieved and confirmed by the constant behavior of the sphere’s revolution radius against the trapping LG-beam power. By measuring the revolutions of the sphere that was trapped and revolved in mid-water, we confirmed excellent linearity between the revolution rate and the trapping light free from the hydrodynamic coupling with walls of a sample chamber. This result suggests a torque source of precise controllability, which will contribute to the study of biological molecules, nonequilibrium statistical physics, and micromachines.