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Angular momentum of the electromagnetic field: the plane wave paradox resolved

A M Stewart

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The 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.


PACS

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

Subjects

Mathematical physics

Accelerators, beams and electromagnetism

Particle physics and field theory

Dates

Issue 4 (July 2005)

Received 20 December 2004

Published 6 May 2005



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