Difference between angular momentum and pseudoangular momentum
Simon Streib
Abstract
In condensed matter systems it is necessary to distinguish between the momentum of the constituents of the system and the pseudomomentum of quasiparticles. The same distinction is also valid for angular momentum and pseudoangular momentum. Based on Noether's theorem, we demonstrate that the recently discussed orbital angular momenta of phonons and magnons are pseudoangular momenta. This conceptual difference is important for a proper understanding of the transfer of angular momentum in condensed matter systems, especially in spintronics applications.
Topics & Concepts
Angular momentumNoether's theoremAngular momentum couplingPhysicsTotal angular momentum quantum numberAngular momentum operatorOrbital angular momentum of lightQuasiparticleMagnonAngular momentum of lightSpintronicsMomentum transferOrbital motionQuantum electrodynamicsClassical mechanicsQuantum mechanicsTheoretical physicsFerromagnetismScatteringSuperconductivityLagrangianMagnetic properties of thin filmsCold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein CondensatesMechanical and Optical Resonators