Paraxial spin transport using the Dirac-like paraxial wave equation

TL;DR

This paper models paraxial light beam propagation in weakly inhomogeneous media using a Dirac-like equation, revealing spin transport phenomena such as the Berry effect, spin Hall effect, and Rytov rotation law.

Contribution

It introduces a novel Dirac-like formalism for paraxial wave equations and derives spin transport effects in inhomogeneous media.

Findings

Derivation of Berry effect terms for paraxial beams

Establishment of spin Hall effect in light propagation

Identification of Rytov rotation law for polarized beams

Abstract

In weakly inhomogeneous media, Maxwell equations assume a Dirac-like form that is particularly apt for the study of paraxial propagation. Using this form, and via the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation technique of the Dirac equation, we study the spin transport of paraxial light beams in weakly inhomogeneous media. We derive the Berry effect terms and establish the spin Hall effect and the Rytov rotation law for polarized paraxial beam transport.