On the Origin of Acoustic Spin and Elastic Spin: Uncovering Hidden Wave Spin of Scalar Fields with Higher-Order Derivative Lagrangian

Abstract

Scalar field should have no spin angular momentum according to conventional understandings in classical field theory. Yet, recent studies demonstrate the undoubted existence of wave spin endowed by acoustic and elastic longitudinal waves, which are of irrotational curl-free nature without vorticity and can be described by scalar fields. Here, to solve this seeming discrepancy, we uncover the origin of wave spin in scalar fields beyond traditional formalism by clarifying that the presence of higher order derivatives in scalar field Lagrangians can give rise to non-vanishing spin. For scalar fields with only first order derivative, we can make the hidden wave spin emerge, by constructing a latent field that leads to the original field through a time derivative so that is of second order. We exemplify the wave spin for elastic and acoustic fields, as well as for dissipative media, following Noether's theorem in higher-order derivative Lagrangian. The results would prompt people to build more comprehensive and fundamental understandings of structural wave spin in classical fields.