Do waves carrying orbital angular momentum possess azimuthal linear momentum?

Speirits, F. C. and Barnett, S. M. (2013) Do waves carrying orbital angular momentum possess azimuthal linear momentum? Physical Review Letters, 111(10), p. 103602. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.103602)

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Abstract

All beams are a superposition of plane waves, which carry linear momentum in the direction of propagation with no net azimuthal component. However, plane waves incident on a hologram can produce a vortex beam carrying orbital angular momentum that seems to require an azimuthal linear momentum, which presents a paradox. We resolve this by showing that the azimuthal momentum is not a true linear momentum but the azimuthal momentum density is a true component of the linear momentum density.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Speirits, Dr Fiona and Barnett, Professor Stephen
Authors: Speirits, F. C., and Barnett, S. M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review Letters
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:0031-9007
ISSN (Online):1079-7114
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in Physical Review Letters 111(10):103602
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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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