Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
Spin-to-orbit conversion at acousto-optic diffraction of light: conservation of optical angular momentum
1Institute of Physical Optics, Lviv, Ukraine.
Abstract:
Acousto-optic diffraction of light in optically active cubic crystals is analyzed from the viewpoint of conservation of optical angular momentum. It is shown that the availability of angular momentum in the diffracted optical beam can be necessarily inferred from the requirements of angular momentum conservation law. As follows from our analysis, a circularly polarized diffracted wave should bear an orbital angular momentum. The efficiency of the spin-to-orbit momentum conversion is governed by the efficiency of acousto-optic diffraction.
Related Concept Videos
Conservation of Angular Momentum: Application
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Angular Momentum: Single Particle
The...
Angular Momentum
Relation Between Moment of a Force and Angular Momentum
The temporal change...
Principle of Angular Impulse and Momentum
