arXiv · 2404.11558
Conversion of twistedness from light to atoms
Abstract
We develop a simple model and propose a scheme that allows the production of twisted atoms in free space using the absorption of twisted photons by a bound electron. We show that in the inelastic collision of a photon and an atom, the twisted state of the photon is transferred to the center-of-mass state, so that the projection of the orbital momentum of the atom becomes $m_\gamma-\Delta m_e$. We also show that, depending on the experimental conditions, the twistedness of the photon is either transferred to the atomic center-of-mass quantum state or modifies the selection rule for the bound electron transition. Proposed scheme is general and enables complex shaping of the atomic wavefront.
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S. S. Baturin, A. V. Volotka. 2024-04-17. Conversion of twistedness from light to atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.110.l020801
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