Gyroscopic optomechanics

Optically-induced forces can lead to mechanical deformation for micro- or nano-structures. Scattering optical forces and gradient optical forces, both originating from the linear momentum of light, have been widely demonstrated. Here we suggest the use of gyroscopic optical forces, originating from the angular momentum of light, to facilitate mechanical deformation. We calculated gyroscopic precession by light, arising from the angular momentum of a circularly polarized beam of light propagating inside a bent nano-waveguide. This gyroscopic optical force can deform the structure, with right-handed and left-handed circular polarization inducing opposite displacements.