Momentum space oscillation properties of vortex states collision

Abstract

A qualitative calculation and discussion of two-vortex-state collisions are given in the scalar ϕ4 model. Three kinds of vortex states—Bessel, general monochromatic, and Laguerre-Gaussian—are considered. It is found that the total final-momentum distribution in the collision of physical vortex states displays general topological structures, which depend on the initial vortex states’ topological charges, which are proportional to the orbital angular momenta. This peculiar matching provides a novel observable, the topological number of momentum distribution, and it may represent a new fascinating research direction in particle physics. We also find that the situation when the angular momenta of the two colliding Laguerre-Gaussian states combine to zero can be recognized by the total final-momentum distribution close to the collision axis. Both features can be used to measure the orbital angular momentum of vortex states. Published by the American Physical Society 2024