Imaginary Poynting momentum-driven particle rotation by cylindrically polarized Gaussian beams

Imaginary Poynting momentum (IPM) provides a new degree of freedom for particle manipulation. However, the application of IPM in experiments has been largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate the IPM-driven particle rotation by cylindrically polarized Gaussian (CPG) beams that have no spin or orbital angular momentum. Theoretical analysis and experimental measurements demonstrate that gold microparticles will be rotated in the azimuthal direction while being confined in the radial direction. We achieved controllable rotation of the particle by tuning the cylindrical polarization state. These findings are promising for light–matter interactions and particle manipulations.