Optical Momentum, Spin, and Angular Momentum in Dispersive Media

Abstract

We examine the momentum, spin, and orbital angular momentum of structured monochromatic optical fields in dispersive inhomogeneous isotropic media. There are two bifurcations in this general problem: the Abraham-Minkowski dilemma and the kinetic (Poynting-like) versus canonical (spin-orbital) pictures. We show that the kinetic Abraham momentum describes the energy flux and group velocity of the wave in the medium. At the same time, we introduce novel canonical Minkowsky-type momentum, spin, and orbital angular momentum densities of the field. These quantities exhibit fairly natural forms, analogous to the Brillouin energy density, as well as multiple advantages as compared with previously considered formalisms. We apply this general theory to inhomogeneous surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves at a metal-vacuum interface and show that SPPs carry a "super-momentum", proportional to the wave vector $k_p>\omega /c$, and a transverse spin, which can change its sign depending on the frequency $\omega$.

6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Lett

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• Second-harmonic generation and the conservation of spatiotemporal orbital angular momentum of light
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• Transverse spin and surface waves in acoustic metamaterials
• Higher-order topology in plasmonic kagome lattices
• Circulating cavity magnon polaritons
• Exciting Pseudospin Dependent Edge States in Plasmonic Metasurfaces
• Mass-polariton theory of light in dispersive media
• Asymmetry and spin-orbit coupling of light scattered from subwavelength particles
• Transverse angular momentum in topological photonic crystals
• Hidden momentum in continuous media and the Abraham-Minkowski debate