Title: 

Photon Orbital Angular Momentum in Astrophysics


Martin Harwit
Washington, D.C.
  & Cornell University



Abstract:


Astronomical observations of the orbital angular momentum
of photons, a property of electromagnetic radiation that
was first demonstrated in the laboratory in 1992, have
apparently never been attempted.  I will review this
property of photons by illustrating their characteristics
as demonstrated in laboratory experiments conducted with
lasers.  I will then discuss some potential astrophysical
applications, and list several telltale signs that might
provide a first hint that photons with orbital angular
momentum may be astrophysically important.