Compton scattering of twisted light: angular distribution and polarization of scattered photons

TL;DR

This paper investigates how twisted light affects Compton scattering, analyzing changes in angular distribution and polarization of scattered photons using a density matrix approach within a non-relativistic framework.

Contribution

It introduces a density matrix formulation to analyze twisted photon scattering, revealing how initial beam parameters influence scattering outcomes compared to plane waves.

Findings

Angular distribution of scattered photons depends on initial beam parameters.

Polarization of scattered photons is significantly affected by the twist of the incident light.

Analytical and numerical results show distinct differences from plane-wave scattering.

Abstract

Compton scattering of twisted photons is investigated within a non-relativistic framework using first-order perturbation theory. We formulate the problem in the density matrix theory, which enables one to gain new insights into scattering processes of twisted particles by exploiting the symmetries of the system. In particular, we analyze how the angular distribution and polarization of the scattered photons are affected by the parameters of the initial beam such as the opening angle and the projection of orbital angular momentum. We present analytical and numerical results for the angular distribution and the polarization of Compton scattered photons for initially twisted light and compare them with the standard case of plane-wave light.