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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Axial current as the origin of quantum intrinsic orbital angular momentum

Orkash Amat1,*, Nurimangul Nurmamat1, Yong-Feng Huang1,2,†, Cheng-Ming Li3, Jin-Jun Geng4, Chen-Ran Hu1, Ze-Cheng Zou1, Xiao-Fei Dong1, Chen Deng1 et al.

Fan Xu5, Xiao-li Zhang6, and Chen Du1

  • *Contact author: orkashamat@nju.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: hyf@nju.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. D 112, L091902 – Published 18 November, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zdf5-w21r

Abstract

We show that the axial current density is the physical origin (generator) of quantum intrinsic orbital angular momentum (IOAM). Without the axial current, the IOAM of particles vanishes. Broadly speaking, we argue that the spiral or interference characteristics of the axial current density determine the occurrence of nonlinear or tunneling effects in any spacetime-dependent quantum systems. Our findings offer a comprehensive theoretical framework that addresses the limitations of Keldysh’s ionization theory and provides new insights into the angular momentum properties of quantum systems, particularly in tunneling-dominated regimes. Using Wigner function methods, fermionic generalized two-level model, and Berry phase simulations, we predict that IOAM effect can persist even in pure quantum tunneling processes. These results open the door for experimental verification of IOAM effects in future high-intensity quantum electrodynamics experiments, such as those using x-ray free electron lasers.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, L091902– Published 18 November, 2025
  • Received 5 February 2025
  • Accepted 17 October 2025
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