Mechanical Detection and Measurement of the Angular Momentum of Light
Abstract
The electromagnetic theory of the torque exerted by a beam of polarized light on a doubly refracting plate which alters its state of polarization is summarized. The same quantitative result is obtained by assigning an angular momentum of $\ensuremath{\hbar} (\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\hbar})$ to each quantum of left (right) circularly polarized light in a vacuum, and assuming the conservation of angular momentum holds at the face of the plate. The apparatus used to detect and measure this effect was designed to enhance the moment of force to be measured by an appropriate arrangement of quartz wave plates, and to reduce interferences. The results of about 120 determinations by two observers working independently show the magnitude and sign of the effect to be correct, and show that it varies as predicted by the theory with each of three experimental variables which could be independently adjusted.
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The spin-directional coupling works with any interfaces supporting evanescent-tail modes.
“It works with any interfaces supporting evanescent-tail modes, and offers unique opportunities to be used in spin-chiral networks, spin-controlled gates, and other quantum-optical devices 129 .”
From Spin–orbit interactions of light (2015) · cites this paper as [129]
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- Authors
- Beth, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Beth, Richard A.
- Venue
- Physical Review
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Published
- 1936-07-15
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 115-125
- ISSN
- 0031-899X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2564451316
- Cited by
- 1,354
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 50 · 2025: 66 · 2024: 57 · 2023: 65 · 2022: 75 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 64 · 2014: 68 · 2013: 62 · 2012: 40
- FWCI
- 0.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Physical Review (publishedVersion)
- 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 › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Optical Polarization and Ellipsometry
- Keywords
- angular momentum of light, optical torque, polarized light, circularly polarized light, angular momentum conservation
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