Semiclassical Dynamics of Electron Wave Packet States with Phase Vortices

Abstract

We consider semiclassical higher-order wave packet solutions of the Schrodinger equation with phase vortices. The vortex line is aligned with the propagation direction, and the wave packet carries a well-defined orbital angular momentum (OAM) $\hslash l$ ($l$ is the vortex strength) along its main linear momentum. The probability current coils around momentum in such OAM states of electrons. In an electric field, these states evolve like massless particles with spin $l$. The magnetic-monopole Berry curvature appears in momentum space, which results in a spin-orbit-type interaction and a Berry/Magnus transverse force acting on the wave packet. This brings about the OAM Hall effect. In a magnetic field, there is a Zeeman interaction, which, can lead to more complicated dynamics.

5 pages, 2 figures, revised version, to appear in Phys. Rev. Lett

References in corpus (5)

• Dissipationless Quantum Spin Current at Room Temperature
• Modified geometrical optics of a smoothly inhomogeneous isotropic medium: the anisotropy, Berry phase, and the optical Magnus effect
• Topological spin transport of relativistic electron
• Non-Abelian evolution of electromagnetic waves in a weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous medium
• Topological spin transport of photons: "magnetic monopole" gauge field in Maxwell equations and polarization splitting of rays in periodically inhomogeneous media