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Extraordinary momentum and spin in evanescent waves

Author

Listed:
  • Konstantin Y. Bliokh

    (iTHES Research Group, RIKEN
    A. Usikov Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, NASU)

  • Aleksandr Y. Bekshaev

    (Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN
    I. I. Mechnikov National University, Dvorianska 2, Odessa 65082, Ukraine)

  • Franco Nori

    (Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN
    University of Michigan
    Korea University)

Abstract

Momentum and spin represent fundamental dynamic properties of quantum particles and fields. In particular, propagating optical waves (photons) carry momentum and longitudinal spin determined by the wave vector and circular polarization, respectively. Here we show that exactly the opposite can be the case for evanescent optical waves. A single evanescent wave possesses a spin component, which is independent of the polarization and is orthogonal to the wave vector. Furthermore, such a wave carries a momentum component, which is determined by the circular polarization and is also orthogonal to the wave vector. We show that these extraordinary properties reveal a fundamental Belinfante’s spin momentum, known in field theory and unobservable in propagating fields. We demonstrate that the transverse momentum and spin push and twist a probe Mie particle in an evanescent field. This allows the observation of ‘impossible’ properties of light and of a fundamental field-theory quantity, which was previously considered as ‘virtual’.

Suggested Citation

  • Konstantin Y. Bliokh & Aleksandr Y. Bekshaev & Franco Nori, 2014. "Extraordinary momentum and spin in evanescent waves," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4300
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4300
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Chen & Wang Zhang & Yuan Liu & Fan-Chao Meng & John M. Dudley & Yan-Qing Lu, 2022. "Time diffraction-free transverse orbital angular momentum beams," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Yanhui Hu & Jack J. Kingsley-Smith & Maryam Nikkhou & James A. Sabin & Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño & Xiaohao Xu & James Millen, 2023. "Structured transverse orbital angular momentum probed by a levitated optomechanical sensor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Fan Nan & Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño & Shaohui Yan & Jack J. Kingsley-Smith & Jack Ng & Baoli Yao & Zijie Yan & Xiaohao Xu, 2023. "Creating tunable lateral optical forces through multipolar interplay in single nanowires," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Weitao Yuan & Chenwen Yang & Danmei Zhang & Yang Long & Yongdong Pan & Zheng Zhong & Hong Chen & Jinfeng Zhao & Jie Ren, 2021. "Observation of elastic spin with chiral meta-sources," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.

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