Radiation forces and torques in optics and acoustics
Rev. Mod. Phys. 98, 025002 – Published 30 April, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7zdw-p26g
Abstract
The mechanical action of various kinds of waves has been recognized for several centuries. The first tide of scientific interest in wave-induced forces and torques emerged at the turn of the 20th century, with the development of wave theories and the concepts of wave momentum and angular momentum. A second surge occurred in the past several decades, driven by technological breakthroughs: the invention of lasers and the controlled generation of structured wave fields. This resulted in major discoveries, including optical trapping and manipulation of small particles, from atomic to micro sizes, as well as acoustic manipulation of larger particles, including biological cells and samples. Currently, radiation forces and torques underpin numerous applications: optical and acoustic tweezers, acoustofluidic sorting of biological cells, optomechanical systems operating in both classical and quantum regimes, solar sails, quantum simulators, volumetric displays, etc. This review presents a unifying perspective on optical and acoustic forces and torques acting on various particles, addressing both their theoretical foundations and their key applications. The approach used here relies on the universal connection between the local energy, momentum, and spin densities of wave fields and the principal forces and torques exerted on small particles. Moreover, important cases of nontrivial (for example, lateral and pulling) forces and complex (for example, chiral and anisotropic) particles are described. Also highlighted are significant experimental achievements involving optical and acoustic manipulation in structured wave fields. The aim of this review is to illuminate the common fundamental origins and close interconnections between the mechanical actions of optical and acoustic fields, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and advancing the development of optomechanical and acoustomechanical applications.
