Open AccessThe Berry phase and the Aharonov-Bohm effect on optical activity
Author(s) -
Tan Cz
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.014675
Subject(s) - physics , faraday effect , geometric phase , aharonov–bohm effect , magnetic field , rotation (mathematics) , phase (matter) , optics , circular polarization , condensed matter physics , magnetic flux , electron , quantum mechanics , geometry , mathematics
The helical crystal structure in optically active media acts as the natural micro-solenoids for the electromagnetic waves passing through them, producing the longitudinal magnetic field in the direction of the axis of helices. Magnetic flux through the helical structure is quantized. The Berry phase is induced by rotation of the electrons around the helical structure. Optical rotation is related to the difference in the accumulative Berry phase between the right-, and the left-circularly polarized waves, which is proportional to the magnetic flux through the helical structure, according to the Aharonov-Bohm effect. The optical activity is the natural Faraday effect and the natural Aharonov-Bohm effect.