Unveiling bulk and surface radiation forces in a dielectric liquid
An international group of researchers, among which Prof. Daniel Razansky, has measured how much a laser beam tugs on the water it shines through. Their findings, titled "Unveiling bulk and surface radiation forces in a dielectric liquid", have been published in Light: Science & Applications.
Since light constitutes an electromagnetic wave phenomenon, a laser beam shining through water is known to interact with it via process termed electrostriction, which implies the water being compressed towards the laser beam axis. This phenomenon is akin to squeezing a toothpaste tube; the paste is pushed inwards, which also moves it along the tube, forcing some toothpaste out of it.
Now, an international team of researchers has measured the force density exerted by laser light within a water column as it passes through it.
external pageTo the article on phys.org
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