orbital angular momentum of the light field as a superposition of Hermite-Gaussian modes
V.G. Volostnikov

 

Lebedev Physical Institute,
Samara State Aerospace University

Full text of article: Russian language.

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Abstract:
The orbital angular momentum (OAM) for an arbitrary light field as superposition of Hermite-Gaussian modes is considered. An analytical formula for the OAM of such fields is obtained. It is shown that under equal initial conditions, OAM of a linear combination of two Hermite-Gaussian beams derived in this work is equal to that obtained earlier [JOSA A, 31, 274 (2014)]. Relations for more complex combinations of Hermite-Gaussian modes are also derived. It is found that unlike two-mode superposition, in three-mode superposition the OAM can be larger than the maximum index of the superposition for structurally stable light fields.

Keywords:
coherent optics, spiral beams, orbital angular momentum.

Citation:
Volostnikov VG. Orbital angular momentum of the light field as a superposition of Hermite-Gaussian modes. Computer Optics 2015; 39(4): 459-61. DOI: 10.18287/0134-2452-2015-39-4-459-461.

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