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Optical Spin-to-Orbital Angular Momentum Conversion in Inhomogeneous Anisotropic Media

L. Marrucci, C. Manzo, and D. Paparo
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 163905 – Published 28 April 2006
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Abstract

We demonstrate experimentally an optical process in which the spin angular momentum carried by a circularly polarized light beam is converted into orbital angular momentum, leading to the generation of helical modes with a wave-front helicity controlled by the input polarization. This phenomenon requires the interaction of light with matter that is both optically inhomogeneous and anisotropic. The underlying physics is also associated with the so-called Pancharatnam-Berry geometrical phases involved in any inhomogeneous transformation of the optical polarization.

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  • Received 13 January 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.163905

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. Marrucci*, C. Manzo, and D. Paparo

  • Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Università di Napoli “Federico II” and CNR-INFM Coherentia Complesso di Monte S. Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy

  • *Electronic address: lorenzo.marrucci@na.infn.it

See Also

Giving Light a New Twist

David Lindley
Phys. Rev. Focus 17, 15 (2006)

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 16 — 28 April 2006

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