arXiv · 0801.2309
Paraxial Light Beams with Angular Momentum
Abstract
Fundamental and applied concepts concerning the ability of light beams to carry a certain mechanical angular momentum with respect to the propagation axis are reviewed and discussed. Following issues are included: Historical reference; Angular momentum of a paraxial beam and its constituents; Spin angular momentum and paradoxes associated with it; Orbital angular momentum; Circularly-spiral beams: examples and methods of generation; Orbital angular momentum and the intensity moments; Symmetry breakdown and decomposition of the orbital angular momentum; Mechanical models of the vortex light beams; Mechanical action of the beam angular momentum; Rotational Doppler effect, its manifestation in the image rotation; Spectrum of helical harmonics and associated problems; Non-collinear rotational Doppler effect; Properties of a beam forcedly rotating around its own axis. Research prospects and ways of practical utilization of optical beams with angular momentum.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
A. Bekshaev, M. Soskin, M. Vasnetsov. 2008-01-15. Paraxial Light Beams with Angular Momentum. https://arxiv.org/abs/0801.2309
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.