Spin and orbital angular momenta of electromagnetic waves in free space
Journal Article
·
· Physical Review. A
- College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (United States)
We derive exact expressions, in the form of Fourier integrals over the (k,{omega}) domain, for the energy, momentum, and angular momentum of a light pulse propagating in free space. The angular momentum is seen to split naturally into two parts. The spin contribution of each plane-wave constituent of the pulse, representing the difference between its right- and left-circular polarization content, is aligned with the corresponding k-vector. In contrast, the orbital angular momentum associated with each plane-wave is orthogonal to its k-vector. In general, the orbital angular momentum content of the wavepacket is the sum of an intrinsic part, due, for example, to phase vorticity, and an extrinsic part, r{sub CM} x p, produced by the linear motion of the center-of-mass r{sub CM} of the light pulse in the direction of its linear momentum p.
- OSTI ID:
- 22072203
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 84; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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