Trapped-ion experiment observes optical Magnus effect

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute and collaborators report the first direct observation of the optical Magnus effect using a trapped calcium ion and a tightly focused laser. They found that the point of strongest ion-light interaction shifts sideways from the laser's intensity center, and measured shifts of a few hundred nanometers. The team says the shift depends on light wavelength rather than how tightly the beam is focused. The findings were reported in Physical Review Letters.