A M Stewart 2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 635 doi:10.1088/0143-0807/26/4/008
A M Stewart
Show affiliationsThe angular momentum of a classical electromagnetic plane wave of arbitrary extent is predicted to be, on theoretical grounds, exactly zero. However, finite sections of circularly polarized plane waves are found experimentally to carry angular momentum, and it is known that the contribution to the angular momentum arises from the edges of the beam. A mathematical model is described that gives a quantitative account of this effect and resolves the paradox.
03.50.De Classical electromagnetism, Maxwell equations
45.05.+x General theory of classical mechanics of discrete systems
41.20.Jb Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation
Issue 4 (July 2005)
Received 20 December 2004
Published 6 May 2005
A M Stewart 2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 635
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