Angular momentum of the electromagnetic field: the plane wave paradox resolved

The angular momentum of a classical electromagnetic plane wave of arbitrary extent is predicted to be, on theoretical grounds, exactly zero. However, finite sections of circularly polarized plane waves are found experimentally to carry angular momentum, and it is known that the contribution to the a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean journal of physics Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 635 - 641
Main Author Stewart, A M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bristol IOP Publishing 01.07.2005
Institute of Physics
Subjects
Communication, education, history, and philosophy
Exact sciences and technology
General physics
Physics
Physics literature and publications
Surveys and tutorial papers, resource letters
Higher education
Circular polarization
Electromagnetic waves
Angular momentum
Plane waves
Polarized wave
Mathematical models
Electromagnetic fields
Physics
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The angular momentum of a classical electromagnetic plane wave of arbitrary extent is predicted to be, on theoretical grounds, exactly zero. However, finite sections of circularly polarized plane waves are found experimentally to carry angular momentum, and it is known that the contribution to the angular momentum arises from the edges of the beam. A mathematical model is described that gives a quantitative account of this effect and resolves the paradox.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/0143-0807/26/4/008