- Physical Review Journals
All JournalsPhysics Magazine

Physical Review B

Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Letter

Pure transverse spin perpendicular to wave propagation in multiple plane waves

Yuanlu Chen1, Yaxin Li2, Bijun Xu1,*, Xiaogang Wang1, Jun Chen2,3,†, Zhifang Lin4,5, and Xinning Yu1,‡

  • 1School of Science, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
  • 2State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
  • 3Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
  • 4State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics (SKLSP), Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • 5Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

  • *xubijun@zust.edu.cn
  • †chenjun@sxu.edu.cn
  • ‡xinning_yu@fudan.edu.cn
PDF

Phys. Rev. B 108, L241112 – Published 15 December, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.108.L241112

Abstract

Transverse spin, an intriguing aspect of spin angular momentum, has gained considerable attention in recent years. However, transverse spin is typically accompanied by longitudinal spin in electromagnetic fields. This work aims to generate a series of optical fields with pure transverse spin. We present analytical and numerical demonstrations showing that when multiple linearly polarized plane waves interfere in the same plane, the longitudinal spin vanishes, leaving only the transverse spin, which is perpendicular to both the wave propagation and the inhomogeneous field plane. This transverse spin is demonstrated to be related to the imaginary part of the complex Poynting momentum. Furthermore, we show that pure transverse spin is also observed in the interference of multiple Gaussian beams, offering practical applications in optical field preparation and enhancing our understanding of spin-related physics.

View figure in article

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Other Options

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. B 108, L241112– Published 15 December, 2023
  • Received 31 August 2023
  • Revised 20 November 2023
  • Accepted 22 November 2023
Crossmark - Check for updates button

©2023 American Physical Society

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation