Detection of a spinning object using light's orbital angular momentum

Lavery, M.P.J. , Speirits, F.C. , Barnett, S.M. and Padgett, M.J. (2013) Detection of a spinning object using light's orbital angular momentum. Science, 341(6145), pp. 537-540. (doi: 10.1126/science.1239936)

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Abstract

The linear Doppler shift is widely used to infer the velocity of approaching objects, but this shift does not detect rotation. By analyzing the orbital angular momentum of the light scattered from a spinning object, we observed a frequency shift proportional to product of the rotation frequency of the object and the orbital angular momentum of the light. This rotational frequency shift was still present when the angular momentum vector was parallel to the observation direction. The multiplicative enhancement of the frequency shift may have applications for the remote detection of rotating bodies in both terrestrial and astronomical settings.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This is the author’s version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science on 341: 6145 2013, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1239936
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lavery, Professor Martin and Padgett, Professor Miles and Speirits, Dr Fiona and Barnett, Professor Stephen
Authors: Lavery, M.P.J., Speirits, F.C., Barnett, S.M., and Padgett, M.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Science
Publisher:American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:0036-8075
ISSN (Online):1095-9203
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 American Association for the Advancement of Science
First Published:First published in Science 341(6145):537-540
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
549871Challenges in Orbital Angular MomentumMiles PadgettEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I012451/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY