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2006•Optics ExpressOpen access

Conservation of angular momentum of light in single scattering

Aristide Dogariu, Chaim Schwartz

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Abstract

In this paper we discuss the conservation of angular momentum of light in single scattering of circularly polarized light from a spherical, non-absorbing particle. We show that the angular momentum carried by the incident wave is distributed in the scattered waves between terms related to polarization or spin and to orbital angular momentum, respectively. We also show that, in all scattering directions, a constant ratio exists between the flux density of the total angular momentum and the intensity.

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What this paper is about

In this paper we discuss the conservation of angular momentum of light in single scattering of circularly polarized light from a spherical, non-absorbing particle. We show that the angular momentum carried by the incident wave is distributed in the scattered waves between terms related to polarization or spin and to orbital angular momentum, respectively. We also show that, in all scattering directions, a constant ratio exists between the flux density of the total angular momentum and the intensity.

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OpenAlex reports 114 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

In this paper we discuss the conservation of angular momentum of light in single scattering of circularly polarized light from a spherical, non-absorbing particle. We show that the angular momentum carried by the incident wave is distributed in the scattered waves between terms related to polarization or spin and to orbital angular momentum, respectively. We also show that, in all scattering directions, a constant ratio exists between the flux density of the total angular momentum and the intensity.

Key concepts: Angular momentum, Physics, Angular momentum of light, Orbital angular momentum of light, Total angular momentum quantum number, Optics, Angular momentum coupling, Orbital angular momentum multiplexing

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