Is fractional orbital momentum theoretically possible?

[haael]

It bugs me: is it theoretically possible for orbital angular momentum to take fractional values? Which laws of physics should be changed to get that?

 

[alxm]

I think http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anyon" can. But I'm not sure, it's not really my area.

Real electrons in real atoms? I don't think so.

 

[haael]

No, no. I'm not talking about real electrons (I'm sure they can not have fractional orbital momentum). I'm not talking about anyons, either. They can just have nonstandard phase under 360 deg. rotatios, but it's still all about spin.

Alas, I'm not talking about spin, but about orbital angular momentum. What should be changed in our laws of physics to have fractional orbital momentum possible?

 

[Creator]

No, no. I'm not talking about real electrons (I'm sure they can not have fractional orbital momentum). I'm not talking about anyons, either. They can just have nonstandard phase under 360 deg. rotatios, but it's still all about spin.

Alas, I'm not talking about spin, but about orbital angular momentum. What should be changed in our laws of physics to have fractional orbital momentum possible?

Nothing need be changed if you are talking about orbital angular momentum of Light. Most folks don't realize light can be created with orbital angular momentum.: http://www.aip.org/png/2005/229.htm

Apparently it can be fractional, and without violating COM...

http://books.google.com/books?id=Vf...q=fractional orbital angular momentum&f=false

...

 

[peteratcam]

What should be changed in our laws of physics to have fractional orbital momentum possible?

Measure in units of 2 hbar.

 

[DrDu]

Angular momentum becomes non-integer even for spinless charged particles once a magnetic field is present.