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Spin-orbit coupling in free-space Laguerre-Gaussian light beams

L. Allen, V. E. Lembessis, and M. Babiker
Phys. Rev. A 53, R2937(R) – Published 1 May 1996
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Abstract

The expression for the azimuthal force on an atom in a circularly polarized Laguerre-Gaussian beam is shown to contain a term that depends upon the coupling of the intrinsic spin and orbital angular momenta of the light. Consequently, the state of polarization of the light affects the gross motion of the atom and not simply its internal dynamics. The effect arises from the spin-orbit coupling exhibited in the linear momentum density of the free-space mode.

  • Received 18 December 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.53.R2937

©1996 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. Allen

  • JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440

V. E. Lembessis and M. Babiker

  • Department of Physics, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom

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Vol. 53, Iss. 5 — May 1996

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