Franke-Arnold, S. (2017) Optical angular momentum and atoms. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 375(2087), 20150435. (doi: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0435) (PMID:28069766)
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Abstract
Any coherent interaction of light and atoms needs to conserve energy, linear momentum and angular momentum. What happens to an atom’s angular momentum if it encounters light that carries orbital angular momentum (OAM)? This is a particularly intriguing question as the angular momentum of atoms is quantized, incorporating the intrinsic spin angular momentum of the individual electrons as well as the OAM associated with their spatial distribution. In addition, a mechanical angular momentum can arise from the rotation of the entire atom, which for very cold atoms is also quantized. Atoms therefore allow us to probe and access the quantum properties of light’s OAM, aiding our fundamental understanding of light–matter interactions, and moreover, allowing us to construct OAM-based applications, including quantum memories, frequency converters for shaped light and OAM-based sensors.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Franke-Arnold, Professor Sonja |
Authors: | Franke-Arnold, S. |
Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Research Group: | Optics |
Journal Name: | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences |
Publisher: | Royal Society |
ISSN: | 1364-503X |
ISSN (Online): | 1471-2962 |
Published Online: | 09 January 2017 |
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