Figure 1

(a) Schematic illustrating the geometry of a highly focused system and coordinate system we followed in our calculations. The focal plane is located at $z=0$. (b)–(g) Simulated electric field and intensity of a tightly focused right [or left (which is identical)] circularly polarized Gaussian beam in the focal plane. (b) The total intensity distribution. (c) The intensity distribution of the $z$-polarized component. (d),(e) Cross sections of the total intensity and the $x$-, $y$-, and $z$-polarized components along the $x$ (d) and $y$ (e) directions. (f),(g) The $2\pi$ clockwise and anticlockwise helical phase distribution of the $z$-polarized electric field from right (f) and left (g) circular polarizations.Reuse & Permissions

Figure 2

Simulated electric field and intensity of tightly focused right (left-hand column) and left (right-hand column) circularly polarized ${\mathrm{LG}}_0^1$ in the focal plane. (a),(e) Total intensity distribution. (b),(f) Cross section of the total intensity and the $x$-, $y$-, and $z$-polarized component along the $x$ direction. (c),(g) Intensity distribution of the $z$-polarized component. (d),(h) Phase distribution of the electric field of the $z$-polarized component.Reuse & Permissions

Figure 3

Successive frames of a video recording that show the rotation of three gold particles (ranging from $3.0–5.5\mu \mathrm{m}$ in diameter) trapped by tightly focused ${\mathrm{LG}}_0^1$ beam of right and left circular polarization. The scale bar represents $5\mu \mathrm{m}$, and the circular arrow denotes the rotational direction. The rightmost panels show the particles’ orbital trajectory by overlaying 40 frames (4.4 s) of a video recording.Reuse & Permissions