Angular momenta and spin-orbit interaction of nonparaxial light in free space

Abstract

We give an exact self-consistent operator description of the spin and orbital angular momenta, position, and spin-orbit interactions of nonparaxial light in free space. Both quantum-operator formalism and classical energy-flow approach are presented. We apply the general theory to symmetric and asymmetric Bessel beams exhibiting spin- and orbital-dependent intensity profiles. The exact wave solutions are clearly interpreted in terms of the Berry phases, quantization of caustics, and Hall effects of light, which can be readily observedexperimentally. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.82.063825 © 2010 The American Physical Society