Nonlinear theory of laser-induced dipolar interactions in arbitrary geometry

Polarizable dipoles, such as atoms, molecules or nanoparticles, subject to laser radiation, may attract or repel each other. We derive a general formalism in which such laser-induced dipole-dipole interactions (LIDDI) in any geometry and for any laser strength are described in terms of the resonant dipole-dipole interaction (RDDI) between dipoles dressed by the laser. Our expressions provide a physically clear and technically simple route towards the analysis of LIDDI in a general geometry. This approach can treat both mechanical and internal-state interactions between the dipoles. Our general results reveal LIDDI effects due to nonlinear dipole-laser interactions, unaccounted for by previous treatments of LIDDI. We discuss, via several simple approaches, the origin of these nonlinear effects and their absence in previous works.