Abstract
We derive the interaction Hamiltonian of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam with a simple atomic system, under the assumption of a small spread of the centre of mass wavefunction in comparison with the waist of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam and taking into account the centre of mass motion of the atomic system. Using the properties of regular spherical harmonics the internal and centre of mass dynamical variables are separated without making any multipolar expansion. The features of angular momentum exchange process assisted by Laguerre-Gaussian beams and the influence of their winding number on the selection rules and transition probability of internal and centre of mass motion are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 87-92 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Centre of mass motion
- Dipole and quadrupole interaction
- Orbital angular momentum
- Regular solid spherical harmonics
- Selection rules
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)