7-11 July 2014
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=16&confId=34"><font color=#0000ff>SAIP2014 Proceedings published on 17 April 2015</font></a>

Twisting photons: The role of POAM in Astrophysics

9 Jul 2014, 10:20
20m
Oral Presentation Track D1 - Astrophysics Astro

Speaker

Mr Peter Nicol (University of Johannesburg)

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

The total angular momentum of a photon field can be decomposed canonically into spin and an orbital parts. This decomposition is gauge invariant. Methods are now available for measuring the orbital angular momentum of light. These allow measurement the orbital angular momentum of a single photon, as well as of a beam. Little use has been made of the techniques in astrophysics. If used, they might unlock an as yet untapped source of information about distant sources.

Orbital angular momentum can be produced in a beam of light of known polarisation by passing the beam through a spiral phase plate in the direction of its with optical axis. It has been suggested that inhomogeneous media may produce orbital angular momentum in an analogous way. A simple spiral phase plate model may thus be useful in studying plasma vortices in cosmic structures such as astrophysical jets, AGN's, turbulent plasma in galaxies and galaxy clusters, and the vorticity field of the CMB. This paper discusses some general features of POAM, gives a mathematical description of the action of a spiral phase plate and shows how it might be used as a model in astrophysical studies.

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

No

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof Colafrancesco, Sergio.Colafrancesco@wits.ac.za, Wits

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD)?

MSc

Primary author

Mr Peter Nicol (University of Johannesburg)

Co-author

Prof. Sergio Colafrancesco (University of the Witwatersrand)

Presentation Materials