Rayleigh-Wood anomaly-driven robust optical pulling forces in 1D periodic lattices.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Light-Matter Interactions
• Nanophotonics

Background:

• Optical forces are crucial for manipulating microscopic objects.
• Understanding light scattering in periodic structures is key to controlling optical forces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate electromagnetic scattering in 1D lattices for optical force generation.
• To explore the role of resonant modes and the Rayleigh-Wood anomaly in optical force modulation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic investigation of electromagnetic scattering phenomena.
• Analysis of optical force generation in 1D lattice configurations.
• Exploration of the impact of lattice periodicity and structural disorder.

Main Results:

• Resonant modes satisfying the Rayleigh-Wood anomaly condition induce significant optical force modulations.
• The counterintuitive optical pulling force emerges under specific lattice conditions.
• Well-defined lattice periodicity is essential for pulling forces; disorder suppresses them.
• The phenomenon shows robustness against variations in material, dimensions, geometry, and moderate disorder.

Conclusions:

• The Rayleigh-Wood anomaly in 1D lattices can generate optical pulling forces.
• Lattice periodicity and resonant modes are critical for anomalous optical forces.
• The observed robustness is vital for practical photonic device design with manufacturing tolerances.