Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Electromagnetic torque and force in axially symmetric liquid-crystal droplets
1Research Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Budapest, Hungary. janossy@szfki.hu
Abstract:
Circularly polarized light exerts torque on birefringent objects. In the case of axially symmetric particles, however, the moment of radiation force balances the direct optical torque. This explains the observation that radial liquid-crystal droplets, in contrast to planar droplets, do not spin in circularly polarized light. The conclusion is in agreement with considerations based on the angular momentum conservation of light [Phys. Rev. Lett.96, 163905 (2006)].
Related Concept Videos
Torque Free Motion
Electric Dipoles and Dipole Moment
Theoretically, studying electric dipoles leads to understanding why the resultant electric forces around us are weak. Since electric forces are strong, remnant net charges are rare. Hence, the interaction between dipoles helps us understand electrical interactions in...
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Torque On A Current Loop In A Magnetic Field
Consider a rectangular current-carrying loop containing N turns of wire, placed in a uniform magnetic field. The net force on a current-carrying loop...
Torque
Torque can be considered as the rotational counterpart to force. Since forces change the translational...
Central-Force Motion

