Cameron, R. P., Barnett, S. M. and Yao, A. M. (2012) Optical helicity, optical spin and related quantities in electromagnetic theory. New Journal of Physics, 14(5), 053050. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/14/5/053050)
Full text not currently available from Enlighten.
Abstract
We examine the optical helicity, the optical spin and the ij-infra-zilches in electromagnetic theory and show that these conserved quantities can be combined to form a new description of the angular momentum associated with optical polarization: one that is analogous to the familiar description of optical energy and linear momentum. The symmetries of Maxwell's equations that underlie the conservation of our quantities are presented and discussed. We explain that a similar but distinct set of quantities, Lipkin's zilches, describe the 'angular momentum' of the curl of the electromagnetic field, rather than the angular momentum of the electromagnetic field itself.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Barnett, Professor Stephen and Yao, Dr Alison |
| Authors: | Cameron, R. P., Barnett, S. M., and Yao, A. M. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | New Journal of Physics |
| Publisher: | Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. |
| ISSN: | 1367-2630 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1367-2630 |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Altmetric
Altmetric