The Angular Momentum of Light

The first comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the angular momentum of light, illustrating both its theoretical and applied aspects.

David L. Andrews (Edited by), Mohamed Babiker (Edited by)

9781107006348, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 November 2012

442 pages, 186 b/w illus.
24.4 x 17 x 2.5 cm, 0.9 kg

'This highly recommended book is suitable for physics graduate students and researchers who require an up-to-date source on light-carrying spin and orbital angular momentum. It provides a modern quantum mechanical explanation of how to measure and use light's angular momentum and its experimental techniques. The author's clear writing makes it easy to understand the physics and mathematics. Each chapter contains an introduction, theoretical physical and mathematical foundations, experimental techniques, and modern applications. The book is well-illustrated and includes pertinent references and an index. While light's energy and linear momentum date back to Maxwell, angular momentum will find numerous modern applications in the fields of optical trapping of particles with Bessel beams and quantum computing.' Barry R. Masters, Optics and Photonics News (osa-opn.org)

Recent developments in the angular momentum of light present fresh challenges to long established concepts and pave the way for new and wide-ranging applications. The scope for structured light such as optical vortices, in particular, now extends from microfluidics to quantum information. This is the first comprehensive edited collection dealing with light carrying spin and orbital angular momentum, covering both fundamental and applied aspects. Written by internationally leading specialists, the chapters have been compiled to reflect the latest scientific progress and to address the multitude of theoretical, experimental and technical issues associated with this vibrant and exciting field. The volume is an authoritative reference for academic researchers and graduate students engaged in theoretical or experimental study of optical angular momentum and its applications. It will also benefit professionals in physics, optics and optical engineering, chemistry and biology.

Preface D. L. Andrews and M. Babiker
1. Light beams carrying orbital angular momentum J. B. Götte and S. M. Barnett
2. Vortex transformation and vortex dynamics in optical fields G. Molina-Terriza
3. Vector beams in free space E. J. Galvez
4. Optical beams with orbital angular momentum in nonlinear media A. S. Desyatnikov and Y. S. Kivshar
5. Ray optics, wave optics and quantum mechanics G. Nienhuis
6. Quantum formulation of angle and orbital angular momentum J. B. Götte and S. M. Barnett
7. Dynamic rotational frequency shift I. Bialynicki-Birula and Z. Bialynicka-Birula
8. Spin-orbit interactions of light in isotropic media K. Y. Bliokh, A. Aiello and M. A. Alonso
9. Quantum electrodynamics, angular momentum and chirality D. L. Andrews and M. Babiker
10. Trapping of charged particles by Bessel beams I. Bialynicki-Birula, Z. Bialynicka-Birula and N. Drozd
11. Theory of atoms in twisted light M. Babiker, D. L. Andrews and V. E. Lembessis
12. An experimentalist's introduction to orbital angular momentum for quantum optics J. Romero, D. Giovannini, S. Franke-Arnold and M. J. Padgett
13. Measurement of light's orbital angular momentum M. P. J. Lavery, J. Courtial and M. J. Padgett
14. Efficient generation of optical twisters using helico-conical beams V. R. Daria, D. Palima and J. Glückstad
15. Self similar modes of coherent diffusion with orbital angular momentum O. Firstenberg, M. Shuker, R. Pugatch and N. Davidson
16. Dimensionality of azimuthal entanglement M. van Exter, E. Eliel and H. Woerdman
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Mathematics & science [P]