Spin and orbital angular momenta of electromagnetic waves in classical and quantum electrodynamics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A plane, monochromatic electromagnetic wave propagating in free space can have a certain amount of spin angular momentum but cannot possess any orbital angular momentum. Even the spin angular momentum of the plane-wave is difficult to evaluate without resort to certain mathematical limit arguments. Both spin and orbital angular momenta can be computed for a wavepacket of finite duration and finite cross-sectional area using standard methods of classical electrodynamics. Extending these results to finite wavepackets in quantum electrodynamics requires subtle arguments in conjunction with the multimodal structure of the wavepacket. This paper presents some of the nuances of classical as well as quantum-optical methods for analyzing the spin and orbital angular momenta of electromagnetic waves.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpintronics XVI
EditorsJean-Eric Wegrowe, Joseph S. Friedman, Manijeh Razeghi
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510665262
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventSpintronics XVI 2023 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 20 2023Aug 24 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12656
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSpintronics XVI 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/20/238/24/23

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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