Furthering Understanding of the Optical Force Distribution in Condensed Matter

Light plays an ever-growing role in modern electronics. Despite many advances in optical science and technology, the collective understanding of the forces exerted by light throughout charge-neutral materials remains somewhat lacking. The first experiments demonstrating the existence of a pressure due to optical radiation were performed over a century ago, and there have been relatively few empirical studies since then that allow inference of how the optical force is distributed throughout electrically polarizable materials without a net charge. The research presented here contributes to the existing body of theoretical, computational, and experimental work relating to the investigation of the optical force density in condensed matter. In this work, an analytical investigation of the predictions of two force density formulations in the case of reflection from a planar interface provides insight into the spatial distribution of the optical force density in materials. Subsequent time-domain simulations for pulsed light in resonant plasmonic nanostructures offer understanding relating to the spatial and temporal aspects of electromagnetic momentum exchange with condensed matter. Lastly, an experimental arrangement to measure thin membrane deformations provides a platform for empirical characterization of optomechanical devices. Resulting understanding of the forces exerted by light in materials has applications in the design of new photonic devices, as well as new technologies that utilize optical forces analogous to micro-electromechanical systems. The impacts of the theoretical, computational, and experimental outcomes also extends to fundamental science, relating to the description of the kinetic properties of light in condensed matter.