dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaAngular momentum of the electromagnetic field: the plane wave paradox resolved
| Authors | A. M. Stewart |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0504082 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0504082 |
| DOI | 10.1088/0143-0807/26/4/008 |
| Journal | European Journal of Physics Vol 26, 635-641 (2005) |
Abstract
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.
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"abstract": "The angular momentum of a classical electromagnetic plane wave of arbitrary\nextent is predicted to be, on theoretical grounds, exactly zero. However,\nfinite sections of circularly polarized plane waves are found experimentally to\ncarry angular momentum and it is known that the contribution to the angular\nmomentum arises from the edges of the beam. A mathematical model is described\nthat gives a quantitative account of this effect and resolves the paradox.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0504082",
"authors": [
"A. M. Stewart"
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"categories": [
"physics.class-ph"
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"doi": "10.1088/0143-0807/26/4/008",
"journal_ref": "European Journal of Physics Vol 26, 635-641 (2005)",
"title": "Angular momentum of the electromagnetic field: the plane wave paradox resolved",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0504082"
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