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Related Concept Videos

Angular Momentum01:21

Angular Momentum

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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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Angular Momentum: Single Particle01:10

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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...
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Conservation of Angular Momentum01:09

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A system's total angular momentum remains constant if the net external torque acting on the system is zero. Considering a system that consists of n tiny particles, the angular momentum of any tiny particle may change, but the system's total angular momentum would remain constant. The principle of conservation of angular momentum only considers the net external torque acting on the system. While there are internal forces exerted by different particles within the system that also produce...
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Conservation of Angular Momentum: Application01:18

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A system's total angular momentum remains constant if the net external torque acting on the system is zero. Examples of such systems include a freely spinning bicycle tire that slows over time due to torque arising from friction, or the slowing of Earth's rotation over millions of years due to frictional forces exerted on tidal deformations. However in the absence of a net external torque, the angular momentum remains conserved. The conservation of angular momentum principle requires a...
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Angular Momentum about an Arbitrary Axis01:11

Angular Momentum about an Arbitrary Axis

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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...
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Angular Momentum: Rigid Body01:11

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The total angular momentum of a rigid body can be calculated using the summation of the angular momentum of all the tiny particles rotating in the same plane. Considering all the tiny particles rotating in the x-y plane, the direction of angular momentum of all such particles and that of the rigid body would be perpendicular to the plane of the rotation along the z-axis.
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Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
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Optical orbital angular momentum.

Stephen M Barnett1, Mohamed Babiker2, Miles J Padgett3

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK stephen.barnett@glasgow.ac.uk.

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences
|January 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Orbital angular momentum of light, a key optical property, has seen significant advancements since 1992. This review updates the field and explores future directions in optical orbital angular momentum research.

Keywords:
opticsorbital angular momentumspin

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Area of Science:

  • Optics and Photonics
  • Quantum Optics

Background:

  • The concept of orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light was introduced in a seminal 1992 paper.
  • Significant research has occurred in the 13 years following this foundational work.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an introduction to the orbital angular momentum of light.
  • To review developments in OAM of light over the past 13 years.
  • To highlight current research and future prospects in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature and invited contributions.
  • Synthesis of recent advancements in optical orbital angular momentum.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive overview of the progress in OAM of light research.
  • Identification of emerging trends and potential future research avenues.

Conclusions:

  • The field of optical orbital angular momentum has experienced substantial growth.
  • Continued exploration promises further breakthroughs in optical technologies.