Transverse spin and transverse momentum in structured optical fields

TL;DR

This review explores the fundamental concepts, origins, and potential applications of transverse spin and momentum in structured optical fields, highlighting their enhancement in micro and nano optical systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the genesis, observation, and enhancement techniques for transverse SAM and spin momentum in structured light, including recent advances in dispersion management and coherent perfect absorption.

Findings

Transverse spin and momentum are fundamental yet elusive entities in structured optical fields.

Dispersion management and coherent perfect absorption can enhance transverse spin and momentum.

Mode interference in micro and nano structures influences the magnitude and spatial extent of these entities.

Abstract

It has been recently recognized that in addition to the conventional longitudinal angular momentum, structured (inhomogeneous) optical fields exhibit helicity-independent transverse spin angular momentum (SAM) and an unusual spin (circular polarization)- dependent transverse momentum, the so-called Belinfante's spin momentum. Such highly nontrivial structure of the momentum and the spin densities in the structured optical fields (e.g., evanescent fields) has led to a number of fundamentally interesting and intricate phenomena, e.g., the quantum spin Hall effect of light and the optical spin-momentum locking in surface optical modes similar to that observed for electrons in topological insulators. In this review, we introduce the basic concepts and look into the genesis of transverse SAM and transverse spin momentum in structured light. We then discuss few illustrative examples of micro and nano optical systems where these illusive entities can be observed. The studied systems include planar and spherical micro and nano structures. We also investigate the ways and means of enhancing the elusive extraordinary spin. In particular, we show that dispersion management leading to avoided crossing along with perfect absorption mediated by recently discovered coherent perfect absorption can positively influence the resonant enhancement of the transverse spin and spin momentum. The role of mode mixing and interference of neighboring TE and TM scattering modes of diverse micro and nano optical systems are illustrated with the selected examples. The results demonstrate possibilities for the enhancement of not only the magnitudes but also the spatial extent of transverse SAM and the transverse momentum components, which opens up interesting avenues for experimental detection of these illusive fundamental entities and may enhance the ensuing spin-based photonic applications.