Energy and angular momentum transfers from an electromagnetic wave to a copper ring in the UHF band

Publication date: Available online 23 December 2016 Source:Comptes Rendus Physique Author(s): Olivier Émile, Christian Brousseau, Janine Émile, Kouroch Mahdjoubi Electromagnetic waves could carry orbital angular momentum. Such momentum can be transferred to macroscopic objects and can make them rotate under a constant torque. Based on experimental observations, we investigate the origin of orbital angular momentum and energy transfer. Due to angular momentum and energy conservation, we show that angular momentum transfer is due to the change in the sign of angular momentum upon reflection. This leads to a rotational Doppler shift of the electromagnetic wave frequency, ensuring energy conservation.

Source: Comptes Rendus Physique - December 23, 2016 Category: Physics Source Type: research