Optical binding between knotted and chiral nanoparticles

Abstract

General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. ABSTRACTOptical binding occurs when systems of both dielectric particles are illuminated by intense light fields, and results in the formation of clusters and coupled dynamical behaviour. Optical binding between spheres has been studied extensively, but little has appeared in the literature describing binding in lower symmetry systems. Here we discuss computer simulations of optical binding between hypothetical knotted nanowires. The knots chosen are drawn from the class of knots known as torus knots which may be represented with n-fold chiral rotational symmetry. We examine the binding properties of the knots in circularly polarised counter propagating beams.