English

Spin-induced angular momentum switching

Quantum Physics 2011-02-08 v1 Optics

Abstract

When light is transmitted through optically inhomogeneous and anisotropic media the spatial distribution of light can be modified according to its input polarization state. A complete analysis of this process, based on the paraxial approximation, is presented, and we show how it can be exploited to produce a spin-controlled-change in the orbital angular momentum of light beams propagating in patterned space-variant-optical-axis phase plates. We also unveil a new effect. The development of a strong modulation in the angular momentum change upon variation of the optical path through the phase plates.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0709.3818,
  title  = {Spin-induced angular momentum switching},
  author = {Gabriel F. Calvo and Antonio Picón},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0709.3818},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

The original paper of the published version in Opt. Lett

R2 v1 2026-06-21T09:21:13.763Z