Optically driven micromachine elements

We report on a proof of principle demonstration of an optically driven micr omachine element. Optical angular momentum is transferred from a circularly polarized laser beam to a birefringent particle confined in an optical twe ezers trap. The optical torque causes the particle to spin at up to 350 Hz, and this torque is harnessed to drive an optically trapped microfabricated structure. We describe a photolithographic method for producing the micros tructures and show how a light driven motor could be used in a micromachine system. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.