What is Orbital angular momentum: Definition and 83 Discussions

The orbital angular momentum of light (OAM) is the component of angular momentum of a light beam that is dependent on the field spatial distribution, and not on the polarization. It can be further split into an internal and an external OAM. The internal OAM is an origin-independent angular momentum of a light beam that can be associated with a helical or twisted wavefront. The external OAM is the origin-dependent angular momentum that can be obtained as cross product of the light beam position (center of the beam) and its total linear momentum.

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  1. S

    Calculate orbital angular momentum

    The section Kepler’s Second Law here describes the above equation. In this problem, ##\text{r = D, m = M and v = V}## What is the way to go about finding out ##\theta## as shown in Figure 13.21?
  2. A

    Orbital angular momentum Hamiltonian

    I think that the quantum numbers are l=1 and ml=0, so I write the spherical harmonic Y=Squareroot(3/4pi)*cos(theta). I would like to know how to compute the wave function at t=0, then I know it evolves with the time-evolution operator U(t), to answer the first request.
  3. S

    Kepler's Third Law vs Conservation of angular momentum

    The classic way to go about this problem would be to use Kepler's laws and thus find the new time period of earth. However I encountered this question in a test on rotational motion which deals with conservation of angular momentum. The equation used here would be I1ω1= I2ω2 Replacing I with MR2...
  4. I

    Ballentine Problem 7.1 Orbital Angular Momentum

    Find the probability distributions of the orbital angular momentum variables ##L^{2}## and ##L_{z}## for the following orbital state functions: ##\Psi(x) = f(r) sin(\theta) cos(\theta)## ##\Psi(x) = f(r) cos^{2}(\theta)##I am aware that the prob. distribution of an observable is ##|<a_{n} |...
  5. Kaguro

    Can spin angular momentum get converted to orbital angular momentum?

    I know that in QM, there is LS coupling. So the interaction is there. But is such an interaction possible in macroscopic objects like a planet?
  6. bob012345

    I Meaning of the Orbital Angular Momentum of Super Chiral Light

    In this article it discusses the generation of something called super chiral light and claims with metamaterials they can make it have very high angular momentum like l=100. What does that really mean? How does that relate in magnitude to the normally computed linear momentum of a photon p=h/λ...
  7. LarryS

    Classical EM vs Orbital Angular Momentum

    Consider the following experiment from the point-of-view of classical mechanics and classical electromagnetism: An originally free electron then passes through a magnetic field that is oriented so that it causes the electron to turn to, say, the right. During the “turning” of the electron (a...
  8. Physics4Funn

    A Can Photon Have Orbital Angular Momentum?

    This is a very special case. In my 50 years studying physics I have never seen any discussion of photons having orbital angular momentum. Any angular momentum for photons in orbit around a black hole must be a GR question. I have not specialized in GR but I don’t recall any discussion of it. I...
  9. T

    I Calculating the eigenvalue of orbital angular momentum

    Hello, I'm trying to calculate the measurement of the orbital angular momentum of the state l=1 and m = -1. The operator for the angular momentum squared is ## L^2 = -\hbar (\frac{1}{sin\theta}(\frac{\partial}{\partial \theta}(sin\theta\frac{\partial}{\partial \theta}))...
  10. Decimal

    I Value of orbital angular momentum for two particles

    Hello, I encountered the following statement in my lecture notes and there is a couple of things I don't understand:"Let's consider two particles with spins ##s_1 = \frac{1}{2}## and ## s_2 = 1## with a spherically symmetric interaction potential. Assume these two particles are in a two...
  11. HastiM

    Does every moving object have orbital angular momentum?

    Hello, in classical physics orbital angular momentum is defined as the cross product of the position vector 'r' and the momentum 'p'. A friend told me that all moving objects must have orbital angular momentum (even if it is moving along a straight line). That statement confuses me a lot...
  12. H

    Find the speed of a satellite at a distance R from Earth

    Homework Statement Gravitational force exerted on mass m is GMm/r^2 2. Relevant equations Orbital velocity at distance R from Earth = ##\sqrt gR## Escape velocity = ##\sqrt 2gR## gR = GM/R Fc = mV^2/R F =m.aThe Attempt at a Solution 1) express acceleration of gravity in terms of G, M , and R...
  13. M

    Calculating Orbital Angular Momentum: What Is the Correct Answer?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Hi All, My problem is that when I calculate this integral or use software to do it for me I get (3*i*pi)/16, when I've been told that the answer is 1/2i giving a probability of 1/4. Would someone be able to point out where my...
  14. S

    I How can the total orbital angular momentum be zero?

    I'm trying to understand the rotations of rigid diatomic molecules such as HCl. My understanding of the orbital angular momentum is that it is quantized with a total value equal to $$E=\frac{\hbar^2}{2I}J(J+1)$$ where I is the rotational moment of inertia and J is the quantum number. Also, J...
  15. Jezza

    I Adding types of angular momenta

    There are two types of angular momentum: orbital and spin. If we define their operators as pseudo-vectors \vec{L} and \vec{S}, then we can also define the total angular momentum operator \vec{J} = \vec{L}+\vec{S}. Standard commutation relations will show that we can have simultaneous well...
  16. Spinnor

    I Orbital angular momentum of light

    A spiral phase plate can change the orbital angular momentum of a beam of light. Should I think of the beam of light carrying the orbital angular momentum or the photons that make up the beam light? If the orbital angular momentum is carried by the individual photons what is being orbited, the...
  17. I

    Atomic Physics - Orbital Angular Momentum Probability

    Homework Statement Consider an electron in a state described by angular wavefunction $$\psi(\theta,\phi)=\sqrt{\frac{3}{4 \pi}}\sin \theta \cos \phi$$ Here θ and φ are the polar and azimuthal angles, respectively, in the spherical coordinate system. i. Calculate the probability that a...
  18. P

    A Understanding Orbital Angular Momentum Coupling to Christoffel Connection

    I am trying to understand Wen and Zee's article on topological quantum numbers of Hall fluid on curved space: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.69.953 They passingly mentiond the fact that a spinning particle with orbital angular momentum $s$ moving on a manifold with...
  19. C

    Orbital angular momentum wavefront velocity

    Is the wavefront velocity if an OAM mode 1 light beam proportional to its wavelength? I understand that the helical structure step length gives the wavelength of the beam. In this case, a small wavelength beam would travel much slower. The problem is, f=v/λ, but now v<c and if λ is shorter then...
  20. C

    I Do photons that carry orbital angular momentum have mass?

    It is known that particles with rest mass cannot travel at the speed of light. Can we also say that particles that travel at subliminal velocity, like these OAM photons do, have mass? It has been demonstrated [1] that these beams can be thought as made of photons that posses intrinsic OAM, and...
  21. T

    Change in Energy and Angular Momentum Upon Decreasing Orbit

    Homework Statement A stationary, axisymmetric, spacetime has two Killing vector fields [ξt, ξφ] corresponding to translation along t or φ directions. A particle of unit mass moving in this spacetime has a four-velocity u = γ[ξt + Ωξφ]. (i) Explain why we can interpret this as a particle moving...
  22. Vitani11

    Units of orbital angular momentum QM?

    Homework Statement A hydrogen atom is in the 3d state. Determine the orbital angular momentum. Homework Equations unnecessary The Attempt at a Solution I already know how to figure this out and have an answer but WHAT ARE the units?! It's not kgm/s^2!
  23. G

    I Why are total orbital QN l,m zero for closed subshell?

    Hello. Here, I'm asking why total orbital quantum number l and total magnetic quantum number m are zero for closed subshell in atom. Let me review the addition of angular momentum first: Each electron has its own orbital quantum number li and magnetic quantum number mi. Then for two electrons...
  24. edguy99

    I What is an electron's orbital angular momentum?

    One of the best explanations of orbital angular momentum for the electron comes from Dirac himself. At around 39:30 of this youtube video (you will need headphones, but it is well worth it), Dirac talks about the non-commutation of operators, how quantum mechanics is more general then classical...
  25. L

    Eigenstates of Orbital Angular Momentum

    Recently I've been studying Angular Momentum in Quantum Mechanics and I have a doubt about the eigenstates of orbital angular momentum in the position representation and the relation to the spherical harmonics. First of all, we consider the angular momentum operators L^2 and L_z. We know that...
  26. P

    Find the energy levels of a spin s = 3/2 particle

    Homework Statement Find the energy levels of a spin ##s=\frac{3}{2}## particle whose Hamiltonian is given by: ##\hat{H}=\frac{a_1}{\hbar^2}(\hat{S}^2-\hat{S}_x^2-\hat{S}_y^2)-\frac{a_2}{\hbar}\hat{S}_z## where ##a_1## and ##a_2## are constants. Homework Equations In the ##\hat{S}_z## basis...
  27. ognik

    MHB Inertia matrix from orbital angular momentum of the ith element (please check)

    Starting with the orbital angular momentum of the ith element of mass, $ \vec{L}_I = \vec{r}_I \times \vec{p}_I = m_i \vec{r}_i \times \left( \omega \times \vec{r}_i\right) $, derive the inertia matrix such that $\vec{L} =I\omega, |\vec{L} \rangle = I |\vec{\omega} \rangle $ I used a X b X c...
  28. d w

    How much mass with the centrifugal forces of earth to break gravity?

    I'll start with this question, how much "mass" does something have to have before centrifugal force exceeds gravity on earth? I used basic physics of centrifugal force and gravity, used force vectors, and the math doesn't jive. This is what I mean. There are 2 forces on Earth that everything...
  29. K

    How Can Orbital Angular Momentum be Used to Enhance Key Rate Generation in QKD?

    Hi, I need any good books or articles about the mathematical analysis and modelling of orbital angular momentum Regards
  30. NanaToru

    Metaphor for orbital angular momentum?

    I've been tutoring for chemistry and someone asked me to clarify the difference of spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum without math. I was trying to think of a metaphor, but I wanted to make sure it's a fair one--the spin angular momentum is like Earth rotating on its own axis...
  31. LarryS

    Orbital Angular Momentum: Need at least 2 particles?

    The definition of orbital angular momentum, whether for classical mechanics or for quantum mechanical operators, is rxp. Technically, according to this definition, one particle can possesses orbital angular momentum - in this case about the origin. But I cannot think of any examples, in...
  32. binbagsss

    Parity formulae, orbital angular momentum, mesons

    So a particle has intrinsic parity ##\pm 1 ## . The parity of a system of particles is given by product of intrinsic parities and the result is: ##(-1)^l ## (1). Questions: 1) How does this result follow? and what exactly is ##l## here? so it's the orbital angular momentum, so say a particle...
  33. Robsta

    Gross Structure of Hydrogen

    Homework Statement Show that for hydrogen the matrix element <2 0 0|z|2 1 0> = -3a0 where a0 is the Bohr Radius. On account of the non-zero value of this matrix element, when an electric field is applied to a hydrogen atom in its first excited state, the atom's energy is linear in the field...
  34. Robsta

    Showing functions are eigenfunctions of angular momentum.

    Homework Statement Verify by brute force that the three functions cos(θ), sin(θ)eiφ and sin(θ)e−iφ are all eigenfunctions of L2 and Lz. Homework Equations I know that Lz = -iћ(∂/∂φ) I also know that an eigenfunction of an operator if, when the operator acts, it leaves the function unchanged...
  35. Z

    Selection Rules and Light with Orbital Angular Momentum

    When we first learn of selection rules for atomic transitions, we learn that electrons have to change between states that differ in angular momentum by at most 1ħ, because photons have 1 unit of spin angular momentum. However, photons can have arbitrarily high integer quantities of orbital...
  36. K

    Light's orbital angular momentum

    I read this article, and I'm confused about several things. http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/article/57/5/10.1063/1.1768672 Apparently, light can have orbital angular momentum as well as spin. But I don't see how this is possible, at least in vacuum. Is this in vacuum...
  37. J

    Orbital Angular Momentum and Photon Energy

    Just a quick question on photon orbital angular momentum. In the equation for photon energy: E2 = p2c2 + m2c4 Is OAM counted in the p2c2 part? Or does the above equation only apply to photons with normal momentum and there is another term for the angular momentum? The normal relation for p...
  38. T

    Change of Basis With Orbital Angular Momentum

    Homework Statement We have the initial orbital angular momentum state in the x basis as |l,ml>x=|1,1>x. We are asked to find the column vector in the z-basis that represents the initial orbital angular momentum of the above state. It then says "hint: use an eigenvalue equation". Homework...
  39. V

    Orbital angular momentum projection

    Suppose I have particle in three dimensional space whose position space wavefunction in spherical coordinates is ##\psi(r,\theta,\phi)##. The spherical harmonics ##Y_{\ell,m}## are a complete set of functions on the 2-sphere and so any function ##f(\theta,\phi)## can be expanded as...
  40. W

    Full Basis of Angular Momentum Eigenstates

    Homework Statement Consider the case of an atom with two unpaired electrons, both of which are in s-orbitals. Write the full basis of angular momentum eigenstates representing the coupled and uncoupled representations Homework Equations l=r×p lx=ypz-zpy ly=zpx-xpz lz=xpy-ypx l+=lx+ily...
  41. bearcharge

    Associated Legendre differential equation involved in solving spin function?

    Amazed by the closeness of equations for orbital angular momentum L and spin angular momentum S, I can't help asking is associated Legendre differential equation involved in solving spin function? I only heard that spin naturally comes from treatment of quantum mechanics with relativity theory...
  42. L

    Orbital angular momentum problem

    Hi, I have a question related to the orbital angular momentum. In the referring to Arfken & Weber Mathematical Methods for physicists-6th edition page 267, "In the relativistic Dirac equation, orbital angular momentum is no longer conserved, but J=L+S is conserved," Here, I want to...
  43. Quarlep

    How is total angular momentum conserved in particle physics?

    In particle physics we know that total angular momentum is conserved and its equal to orbital angular momentum plus spin angular momentum Can you give an example for me this total angular momentum conservation with explain specificly tell orbital angular momentum and spin angular momentum.
  44. A

    Spin, linear momentum and orbital angular momentum

    How to prove when electron spin is perpendicular to linear momentum, orbital angular momentum can't be 0. And when they are paralleled, orbital angular momentum is 0. Thanks.
  45. M

    Exploring Orbital Angular Momentum & Magnetic Moments

    So, I've been looking into orbital angular momentum and magnetic moments, (which, at least in normal space with a normal angular topology seems limited to integer values of spin). (My model so far has been a parabolic potential harmonic oscillator in 3d, and the sort of spinning modes you can...
  46. I

    Photon's spin and orbital angular momentum

    "Locally, the spin density S is an intrinsic (i.e. origin-independent) quantity, which is associated with the local ellipticity of the polarization of light. In turn, the orbital AM density L=r x P0 is a manifestly extrinsic (origin-dependent) and is produced by the corresponding canonical...
  47. U

    Orbital Angular Momentum as Generator for Circular Translations

    Homework Statement Taken from Binney's Text, pg 143. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution From equation (7.36): we see that ##\delta a## is in the direction of the angle rotated, ##\vec{x}## is the position vector, and ##\vec{n}## is the unit normal to the plane of...
  48. O

    Quantum mechanics , total orbital angular momentum?

    Homework Statement A hydrogen atom is identified as being in a state with n=4. What is the magnitude of the total orbital angular momentum for the largest permitted value of l? Homework Equations n>l, l is bigger or equal to m The Attempt at a Solution The allowed l= 3,2,1 The allowed m for...
  49. G

    Addition of orbital angular momentum and spin

    Homework Statement Consider an electron with spin \frac{1}{2} and orbital angular momentum l=1. Write down all possible total angular momentum states as a combination of the product states | l=1 , m_l > | s = \frac{1}{2} , m_s > Homework Equations Lowering operator : J_- |j, m> =...
  50. I

    Quantum, Spin, Orbital Angular momentum, operators

    Homework Statement If a particle has spin 1/2 and is in a state with orbital angular momentum L, there are two basis states with total z-component of angular momentum m*hbar l L,s,Lz,sz > which can be expressed in terms of the individual states ( l L,s,Lz,sz > = l L,Lz > l s,sz > ) as l...
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