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Light Can Twist as Well as Spin
NASA -- Astronomy Picture of the Day ^
| 11-19-03
| apod
Posted on 11/19/2003 3:30:55 AM PST by Boot Hill
click here to read article
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Holy orbiting photon, Batman, we have a new "twist" to optical theory!
Let's see, Maxwell's equations require that the electric and magnetic components of the wave be orthogonal, but nothing requires those two components to be in phase with each other. Is this what's got the photons panties in a twist?
--Boot
1
posted on
11/19/2003 3:30:56 AM PST
by
Boot Hill
To: Boot Hill
Given that the shape of photons with OAM is helical, I guess this now qualifies as a light meal.
2
posted on
11/19/2003 3:42:11 AM PST
by
ovrtaxt
( http://www.fairtax.org **** Forget ANWR. Drill Israel !)
To: Boot Hill
So, if we consider light a wave of energy rather than a particle, what are the ramifications of other electromagnetic emissions, i.e. any waves across the spectrum such as x or gamma or micro waves, with OAM properties? Maybe a new Muslim Killer for the troops?
3
posted on
11/19/2003 3:48:12 AM PST
by
ovrtaxt
( http://www.fairtax.org **** Forget ANWR. Drill Israel !)
To: Boot Hill
Out of phase orthogonals can certainly put ones panties in a twist. :-)
4
posted on
11/19/2003 3:54:41 AM PST
by
Mind-numbed Robot
(Not all things that need to be done need to be done by the government.)
To: Boot Hill; PatrickHenry; RadioAstronomer; Piltdown_Woman; longshadow; Physicist
Great post, Boot Hill
To: ovrtaxt
HOLY RAVIOLI! The way the light is twisting off the plate of pasta makes it seem as if you can see a face in there ;>)
6
posted on
11/19/2003 4:04:31 AM PST
by
BigLittle
To: ovrtaxt
ovrtaxt asks: "...
what are the ramifications of other electromagnetic emissions, i.e. any waves across the spectrum..."
It would apply to all wavelengths.
--Boot Hill
7
posted on
11/19/2003 4:13:00 AM PST
by
Boot Hill
To: edwin hubble
Thanks and thanks for pinging "the usual suspects".
--Boot
8
posted on
11/19/2003 4:14:18 AM PST
by
Boot Hill
To: r9etb
"photons can also have orbital angular momentum"
--Boot
9
posted on
11/19/2003 4:34:31 AM PST
by
Boot Hill
Comment #10 Removed by Moderator
To: ovrtaxt
Oooo, exactly! "Light ENERGY"! This she-layman is impressed.
11
posted on
11/19/2003 4:53:55 AM PST
by
bannie
(The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
To: Boot Hill
...we have a new "twist" to optical theory! Well, plug that into your calculator and smoke it!
12
posted on
11/19/2003 6:01:30 AM PST
by
randog
(Everything works great 'til the current flows.)
To: Buckhead
Buckhead asks: "
Does this have any implications for the observed red shift..."
It might. While photons have no mass, they do have momentum and a spiraling photon might have to give up some of its momentum to achieve the orbital path described in the thread article. If this occurred, it would seem to imply a shift to a longer wavelength (i.e., red shift).
--Boot Hill
To: Boot Hill
Does light have its own DNA?
Looks like a DNA helix.
14
posted on
11/19/2003 7:08:33 AM PST
by
Chewbacca
(I talk to myself because it is the only way I can have an intelligent conversation.)
To: Boot Hill
Well, this is an odd twist....
If it really is an "angular momentum" in the usual sense of the term, then it should be possible to bend light by (somehow) exerting a torque on the wave front.
I guess that would be part of the explanation for refraction....
15
posted on
11/19/2003 7:46:58 AM PST
by
r9etb
To: BigLittle
good one.
16
posted on
11/19/2003 7:49:43 AM PST
by
null and void
(Lord Hildamort!™ - She Who Must Not Be Named)
To: Boot Hill
But can light twist and shout?
17
posted on
11/19/2003 7:50:51 AM PST
by
null and void
(Lord Hildamort!™ - She Who Must Not Be Named)
To: Boot Hill; petuniasevan
APOD is a regular feature of the day thanks to one of our long-time FReepers. Get on the list, don't miss out.
18
posted on
11/19/2003 9:01:00 AM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; sourcery
ping
To: Boot Hill
TE and TM waves.......... I thought we knew that back in Maxwell's time...
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