Matrix formulation for the propagation of light beams with orbital and spin angular momenta.
Jones matrices describe the polarization, or spin angular momentum, of a light beam as it passes through an optical system. We devise an equivalent of the Jones matrix formulation for light possessing orbital angular momentum. The matrices are then developed to account for light that has both spin and orbital angular momentum.
Allen
L
L
School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, Scotland.
Courtial
J
J
Padgett
M J
MJ