Conservation of angular momentum

AI Thread Summary
Incident linearly polarized radiation can result in scattered radiation that is circularly or elliptically polarized, depending on the nature of the scatterer. In a lossless dielectric, the scattered radiation remains linearly polarized, while a conducting scatterer may allow for elliptical polarization. The conservation of angular momentum is a key consideration, as the material can gain or lose angular momentum during scattering. The intrinsic angular momentum of the photon and its position also contribute to the overall angular momentum in the system. Ultimately, the behavior of scattered radiation in relation to polarization and angular momentum conservation is complex and varies with the scattering medium.
rays
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If the incident radiation is linearly polarized can the scattered radiation be circularly or elliptically polarized? If the scatter is a lossless dielectric the scattered radiation is not elliptically polarized. How about if the scatter is conducting? if the scattered radiation is elliptically polarized, does it violate the conservation of angular momentum?

Many thanks!
 
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Scattering where?
In general, the material can get (or lose) angular momentum. In addition, angular momentum in some specific frame can come from the position of the photon itself (together with the velocity), its intrinsic angular momentum is just one component.
 
mfb,

Thank you for the quick reply!

In classical eletromagnetic theory, if the incident EM wave is linearly polarized (no angular momentum) and it is scattered by a fixed spherical perfect conductor, then can the scattered EM wave be elliptically polarized?

rays
 
I would expect this in the general case (at least for some scattering angles), but I don't know.
 

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