Two mechanisms of backward optical forces on Rayleigh particles in structured paraxial light
Phys. Rev. A 113, 023508 – Published 6 February, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/t89y-l4fq
Abstract
A theoretical and numerical study of optical forces acting on a Rayleigh particle in a paraxial Gaussian light beam exhibiting regions of optical backflow is presented. Within the dipole approximation, the total optical force is decomposed into gradient, scattering, and spin-curl terms. Vector fields satisfying the exact paraxial Maxwell equations are employed to describe the structured light configuration responsible for two distinct mechanisms leading to backward optical forces. The first originates from the local reversal of the Poynting vector, which induces a negative longitudinal momentum flux, while the second arises from the spin-dependent component of the force associated with the spatial variation of the optical spin density. Analytical expressions and numerical simulations confirm that both mechanisms can produce backward motion of a Rayleigh particle under appropriate beam conditions. These results provide a unified physical picture of backward-directed optical forces in Gaussian beams and open possibilities for particle manipulation in structured light fields.
