Internal flows and energy circulation in light beams
Open accessAbstract
We review optical phenomena associated with the internal energy redistribution which accompany propagation and transformations of monochromatic light fields in homogeneous media.The total energy flow (linear-momentum density, Poynting vector) can be divided into a spin part associated with the polarization and an orbital part associated with the spatial inhomogeneity.We give a general description of the internal flows in the coordinate and momentum (angular spectrum) representations for both nonparaxial and paraxial fields.This enables one to determine local densities and integral values of the spin and orbital angular momenta of the field.We analyse patterns of the internal flows in standard beam models (Gaussian, Laguerre-Gaussian, flat-top beam, etc), which provide an insightful picture of the energy transport.Emphasis is given to the singular points of the flow fields.We describe the spin-orbit and orbit-orbit interactions in the processes of beam focusing and symmetry breakdown.Finally, we consider how the energy flows manifest themselves in the mechanical action on probing particles and in the transformations of a propagating beam subjected to a transverse perturbation.
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Retaining divergence terms allows the momentum density to be expressed in a variety of suggestive forms, but it is difficult to assign these any particular physical significance because of non-uniqueness.
“We note, however, that retaining such divergence terms allows us to express the momentum density in a variety of suggestive forms [80], although, because of the non-uniqueness described above, it is dif fi cult to assign to these any particular physical signi fi cance.”
From Optical Dirac equation (2014) · cites this paper as [80]
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References 190 · Cited by 368
Research works printed but not linked: 4
- Ignatowskii V S 1919 Trans. Opt. Inst, Petrograd 1 paper IV
- Mokhun I, Mokhun A and Viktorovskaya Ju 2006 Singularities of Poyning vector and the structure of optical fields Ukr. J. Phys. Opt. 7 129-41 · DOI
- Mokhun I, Brandel R and Viktorovskaya Yu 2006 Angular momentum of electromagnetic field in areas of polarization singularities Ukr. J. Phys. Opt. 7 63-73 · DOI
- Felde Ch V 2004 Diffraction diagnostics of phase singularities in optical fields Proc. SPIE 5477 67-76
- Authors
- Bekshaev, A., Bliokh, K. Y., & Soskin, M.
- Affiliations
- Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University (UA)
- Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway (IE)
- National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (UA)
- Venue
- Journal of Optics
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2011-03-24
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 053001
- ISSN
- 0150-536X (ISSN-L)
- 2040-8978
- 2040-8986
- OpenAlex
- W2060368581
- Cited by
- 368
- References
- 190
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 25
- FWCI
- 11.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2024-09-30)
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Optics (publishedVersion)
- ARAN (University of Galway Research Repository) (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- ARAN (University of Galway Research Repository) (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- ARAN (University of Galway Research Repository) (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Research Repository UCD (University College Dublin) (cc-by-nc)
- Funders
- European Commission
- Science Foundation Ireland (07/IN.1/I906)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Orbital Angular Momentum in Optics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- Keywords
- spin angular momentum, orbital angular momentum, Poynting vector, angular spectrum, nonparaxial beams, paraxial beams, Laguerre-Gaussian beams, flat-top beam, singular points, spin-orbit coupling, orbit-orbit interaction, beam focusing, transverse perturbations, optical manipulation of particles, energy transport
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