Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
Transverse spin angular momentum of tightly focused full Poincaré beams
Abstract:
We show theoretically that by tightly focusing a full Poincaré beam one can create states of light whose average spin angular momentum (SAM) is purely transverse. Moreover, the transverse SAM is significantly increased if a narrow annular aperture is inserted into the Poincaré beam. In this case the state with transverse SAM can exist over an extremely long distance along the optical axis. To avoid diffraction on the aperture and increase the light conversion efficiency we employ the phenomenon of conical diffraction in biaxial crystals to convert a Gaussian beam into a ring-shaped beam, with a high ratio of the ring radius to its width.
Related Concept Videos
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Conservation of Angular Momentum: Application
Angular Momentum: Single Particle
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Angular Momentum

