The article discusses the optical alignment and spinning of laser-trapped microscopic particles, particularly focusing on birefringent calcite particles. The authors demonstrate that these particles can be aligned with the plane of polarization or spin at constant frequencies, depending on the polarization of the incident laser beam. This is achieved using an optical tweezers setup with a high numerical aperture microscope objective, trapping the particles at very high power without significant heating. The rotation rates observed were over 350 Hz, and the mechanism involves the transfer of angular momentum from the light to the birefringent material. The study shows that calcite particles act as microscopic waveplates, and the results are consistent with theoretical predictions. The controllability and minimal absorption of these particles suggest their potential for use in optically driven micromachines, such as pumps, stirrers, or optically powered cogwheels. Additionally, the alignment and rotation of the particles can be used for studying fluid viscosity or holding probe particles in specific orientations for microscopy.The article discusses the optical alignment and spinning of laser-trapped microscopic particles, particularly focusing on birefringent calcite particles. The authors demonstrate that these particles can be aligned with the plane of polarization or spin at constant frequencies, depending on the polarization of the incident laser beam. This is achieved using an optical tweezers setup with a high numerical aperture microscope objective, trapping the particles at very high power without significant heating. The rotation rates observed were over 350 Hz, and the mechanism involves the transfer of angular momentum from the light to the birefringent material. The study shows that calcite particles act as microscopic waveplates, and the results are consistent with theoretical predictions. The controllability and minimal absorption of these particles suggest their potential for use in optically driven micromachines, such as pumps, stirrers, or optically powered cogwheels. Additionally, the alignment and rotation of the particles can be used for studying fluid viscosity or holding probe particles in specific orientations for microscopy.