Optomechanical interaction between single-walled carbon nanotubes of various structures

Abstract

We consider optomechanical interaction in an asymmetric structure of a carbon nanotubes dimer of different orientations and/or different atomic structures in the field of a plane wave or a focused Gaussian beam. Here we show that optical coupling in such the system can lead to nonreciprocal interactions between the constituents. We demonstrate that a non-conservative force is applied to the center of mass of an optically coupled nanotube dimer, resulting in an unexpected lateral action. The sign and magnitude of this force depend on abrupt phase transitions in the properties of the asymmetric dimer.