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Physics Archive
Index Key: PHY078
Author: econser
Subject: Transverse spin of photon
Text: I read somewhere that the photon has three spin states, but since
it travels at the speed of light the t, the transverse state does not exist.
Why is this?
Response #: 1 of 1
Author: Sam Bowen
Text: A partial response...The photon only has the transverse
polarization of the electric and magnetic fields. If these are what are
called circularly polarized (the electric vector spins either clockwise or
counter-clockwise around the direction of travel) then the "spin" is along the
direction of travel. In this sense the transverse spin state of the photon
does not exist.
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