Difference between angular momentum and pseudoangular momentum
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.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- March 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.103.L100409
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2010.15616
- Bibcode:
- 2021PhRvB.103j0409S
- Keywords:
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- Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics;
- Condensed Matter - Materials Science
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 1 figure