Optical Radiation Pressure: Resonant Mechanical Excitation of Thin Films

ABSTRACT

Optical radiation pressure was directly observed for the first time more than a century ago. Although it is a contactless force, its magnitude is relatively small, which typically limits its effects to low‐mass systems and makes static deformation of interfaces challenging. Nevertheless, resonant mechanical excitation of an interface using modulated light can strongly enhance its dynamic response, enabling the observation of effects that would otherwise remain undetectable. Here, we review several applications of resonant mechanical excitation driven by radiation pressure, mainly in freestanding or deposited thin films. We then discuss the associated physical mechanisms and potential implications, ranging from fundamental studies of light matter interaction to technological applications in photonics, soft matter, and biomedical systems.