Why is orbital angular momentum conserved in spontaneous parametric down-conversion?

Sheng Feng*, Prem Kumar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experimental observation of the conservation of orbital angular momentum in spontaneous parametric down-conversion has been theoretically attributed to phase-matching, transfer of plane-wave spectrum from pump beam to down-converted beams. However, according to quantum mechanics, the conservation of angular momentum arises from rotational symmetry of the Hamiltonian describing the studied physical process. Recently, experimental evidence has been found which shows that non-conservation of orbital angular momentum can occur in spontaneous parametric down-conversion due to rotational asymmetry of the Hamiltonian. In this paper, we theoretically show that all reported experimental results of conservation of orbital angular momentum in spontaneous parametric down-conversion are determined only by the Hamiltonian symmetry, and not by phase matching, transfer of plane-wave spectrum.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationQuantum Communications and Quantum Imaging V
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventQuantum Communications and Quantum Imaging V - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Aug 26 2007Aug 28 2007

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6710
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherQuantum Communications and Quantum Imaging V
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/26/078/28/07

Keywords

  • Orbital angular momentum
  • Spontaneous parametric down-convesion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

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