Geometrodynamics of polarized light: Berry phase and spin Hall effect in a gradient-index medium

Date

2009

Authors

Bliokh, Konstantin

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Institute of Physics Publishing

Abstract

We review the geometrical-optics evolution of an electromagnetic wave propagating along a curved ray trajectory in a gradient-index dielectric medium. A Coriolis-type term appears in Maxwell equations under transition to the rotating coordinate system accompanying the ray. This term describes the spin-orbit coupling of light which consists of (i)the Berry phase responsible for trajectory-dependent polarization variations and (ii)the spin Hall effect representing polarization-dependent trajectory perturbations. These mutual phenomena are described within universal geometrical structures underlying the problem and are explained by the dynamics of the intrinsic angular momentum carried by the wave. Such close geometrodynamical interrelations illuminate a dual physical nature of the phenomena.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: Berry phase; Coriolis; Dielectric medium; Geometrical structure; Gradient indexes; Gradient-index media; Physical nature; Polarized light; Ray trajectories; Rotating coordinate system; Spin Hall effect; Spin orbit interaction; Spin-orbit couplings; Crysta Berry phase; Geometrical optics; Gradient-index media; Spin Hall effect; Spin orbit interaction

Citation

Source

Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics

Type

Journal article

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Restricted until

2037-12-31