A review of optically induced rotation

The optical rotation technique arose in the 1990s. Optical tweezer brought an ideal platform for research on the angular momentum of laser beams. For decades, the optical rotation technique has been widely applied in laboratory optical manipulation and the fields of biology and optofluidics. Recently, it has attracted much attention for its potential in the classical and quantum regimes. In this work, we review the progress of experiments and applications of optically induced rotation. First, we introduce the basic exploration of angular momentum. Then, we cover the development and application of optical rotation induced by orbital angular momentum, and the spin angular momentum is presented. Finally, we elaborate on recent applications of the optical rotation technique in high vacuum. As precise optical manipulation in a liquid medium enters its maturity, optical tweezers in high vacuum open a new path for the high-speed micro-rotor.