Energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum exchange between an electromagnetic wave-packet and a small particle

TL;DR

This paper explores how electromagnetic wave-packets exchange energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum with small particles, revealing different particle responses based on the absorbed field components.

Contribution

It demonstrates the nature of momentum exchange between EM wave-packets and small particles using classical electrodynamics and simple examples.

Findings

Linear and angular momenta of EM fields are absorbed differently by particles.

Different particle responses depend on the type of momentum absorbed.

The study clarifies momentum transfer mechanisms in light-particle interactions.

Abstract

Invoking Maxwell's classical electrodynamics in conjunction with expressions for the electromagnetic (EM) energy, momentum, force, and torque, we use a few simple examples to demonstrate the nature of linear and angular momentum exchange between a wave-packet and a small spherical particle. The linear and angular momenta of the EM field, when absorbed by the particle, will be seen to elicit different responses from the particle.