Padgett, M. J. (2017) Orbital angular momentum 25 years on [invited]. Optics Express, 25(10), pp. 11265-11274. (doi: 10.1364/OE.25.011265)
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Abstract
Twenty-five years ago Allen, Beijersbergen, Spreeuw, and Woerdman published their seminal paper establishing that light beams with helical phase-fronts carried an orbital angular momentum. Previously orbital angular momentum had been associated only with high-order atomic/molecular transitions and hence considered to be a rare occurrence. The realization that every photon in a laser beam could carry an orbital angular momentum that was in excess of the angular momentum associated with photon spin has led both to new understandings of optical effects and various applications. These applications range from optical manipulation, imaging and quantum optics, to optical communications. This brief review will examine some of the research in the field to date and consider what future directions might hold.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Padgett, Professor Miles |
Authors: | Padgett, M. J. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Journal Name: | Optics Express |
Publisher: | Optical Society of America |
ISSN: | 1094-4087 |
ISSN (Online): | 1094-4087 |
Published Online: | 04 May 2017 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2017 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Optics Express 25(10): 11265-11274 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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