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Related Concept Videos

Angular Momentum about an Arbitrary Axis01:11

Angular Momentum about an Arbitrary Axis

Imagine a rigid body with a mass denoted as 'm', which has its center of mass at point G and is rotating around an inertial reference frame. The angular momentum at an arbitrary point P can be calculated by taking the cross product of the position vector and linear momentum vector for each individual mass element.
The velocity of a mass element comprises its translational velocity and the relative velocity instigated by the body's rotation. Substituting the velocity equation into the angular...
Angular Momentum01:21

Angular Momentum

Angular momentum characterizes an object's rotational motion and is defined as the moment of its linear momentum about a specified point O. When a particle moves along a curved path in the x-y plane, the scalar formulation calculates the magnitude of its angular momentum, utilizing the moment arm (d), representing the perpendicular distance from point O to the line of action of the linear momentum. Despite being scalar in formulation, angular momentum is inherently a vector quantity. Its...
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Moments of Inertia for an Area about Inclined Axes

In physics and engineering, understanding the moments of inertia for a given area with asymmetrical mass distribution is critical for proper design and analysis. When considering an arbitrary coordinate system, the moments of inertia can be obtained by integrating the moment of inertia for an infinitesimal area element.
Angular Momentum: Single Particle01:10

Angular Momentum: Single Particle

Angular momentum is directed perpendicular to the plane of the rotation, and its magnitude depends on the choice of the origin. The perpendicular vector joining the linear momentum vector of an object to the origin is called the “lever arm.” If the lever arm and linear momentum are collinear, then the magnitude of the angular momentum is zero. Therefore, in this case, the object rotates about the origin such that it lies on the rim of the circumference defined by the lever arm magnitude.
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Conservation of Angular Momentum: Application01:18

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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

In Situ Measurement of Vacuum Window Birefringence using 25Mg+ Fluorescence
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Published on: June 13, 2020

Angular momentum of optical vortex arrays.

Johannes Courtial, Roberta Zambrini, Mark R Dennis

    Optics Express
    |June 9, 2009
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers explored orbital angular momentum (OAM) in optical vortex arrays. They discovered that OAM density depends on unit cell choice and can change sign, impacting spin-like OAM generation.

    Area of Science:

    • Optics and Photonics
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Physics of Light

    Background:

    • Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a fundamental property of light.
    • Controlling OAM density in light fields is crucial for applications.
    • Previous studies focused on intrinsic OAM, independent of measurement axis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of optical vortex arrays with rectangular symmetry.
    • To determine conditions for constructing light fields with uniform and intrinsic OAM density.
    • To identify criteria for achieving spin-like OAM.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of OAM in arrays of optical vortices.
    • Investigation of OAM per unit cell and its dependence on unit cell selection and translation.

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    The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
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    07:03

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  • Theoretical examination of intrinsic OAM and its relation to OAM per unit cell.

    • Main Results:

    • The OAM per unit cell is dependent on the chosen unit cell and can change sign upon translation.
    • This sign change occurs even for intrinsic OAM within each unit cell.
    • Spin-like OAM is achievable only when the OAM per unit cell is zero.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings provide critical insights into the nature of OAM in periodic light structures.
    • Results are applicable to periodic momentum distributions and other periodic systems.
    • Understanding OAM per unit cell is key to controlling and generating spin-like OAM.