Twisted-light-induced optical transitions in semiconductors: Free-carrier quantum kinetics

We theoretically investigate the interband transitions and quantum kinetics induced by light carrying orbital angular momentum, or twisted light, in bulk semiconductors. We pose the problem in terms of the Heisenberg equations of motion of the electron populations, and inter- and intra-band coherences. Our theory extends the free-carrier Semiconductor Bloch Equations to the case of photo-excitation by twisted light. The theory is formulated using cylindrical coordinates, which are better suited to describe the interaction with twisted light than the usual cartesian coordinates used to study regular optical excitation. We solve the equations of motion in the low excitation regime, and obtain analytical expressions for the coherences and populations; with these, we calculate the orbital angular momentum transferred from the light to the electrons and the paramagnetic and diamagnetic electric current densities.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Formulation of the twisted-light–matter interaction at the phase singularity: The twisted-light gauge

Twisted light is light carrying orbital angular momentum. The profile of such a beam is a ring-like structure with a node at the beam axis, where a phase singularity exists. Due to the strong spatial inhomogeneity the mathematical description of twisted-light–matter interaction is non-trivial, in particular close to the phase singularity, where the commonly used dipole-moment approximation cannot be applied. In this paper we show that, if the handedness of circular polarization and the orbital angular momentum of the twisted-light beam have the same sign, a Hamiltonian similar to the dipole-moment approximation can be derived. However, if the signs differ, in general the magnetic parts of the light beam become of significant importance and an interaction Hamiltonian which only accounts for electric fields is inappropriate. We discuss the consequences of these findings for twisted-light excitation of a semiconductor nanostructures, e.g., a quantum dot, placed at the phase singularity.Fil: Quinteiro, Guillermo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Kuhn, Tilmann. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Reiter, D. E.. Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat; Alemani

Novel Properties of Twisted-Light Absorption

We discuss novel features of twisted-light absorption both by hydrogen-like atoms and by micro-particles. First, we extend the treatment of atomic photoexcitation by twisted photons to include atomic recoil, derive generalized quantum selection rules and consider phenomena of forbidden atomic transitions. Second, using the same electromagnetic potential for the twisted light beams, we analyze the radiation pressure from these beams on micro-sized particles, and verify that while the Poynting vector can in some circumstances point back toward the source, a complete analysis nonetheless gives a repulsive radiation pressure.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; completed formalism for the radiation pressur

Light Fan Driven by a Relativistic Laser Pulse

When a relativistic laser pulse with a high photon density interacts with a specially tailored thin foil target, a strong torque is exerted on the resulting spiral-shaped foil plasma, or “light fan.” Because of its structure, the latter can gain significant orbital angular momentum (OAM), and the opposite OAM is imparted to the reflected light, creating a twisted relativistic light pulse. Such an interaction scenario is demonstrated by particle-in-cell simulation as well as analytical modeling, and should be easily verifiable in the laboratory. As an important characteristic, the twisted relativistic light pulse has a strong torque and ultrahigh OAM density