Evidence for the Spin of the Photon from Light-Scattering

Abstract

IT is well known that in the encounters between molecules and photons, exchanges of energy occur which are rendered evident by the observed changes in frequency of the scattered light. Whenever in such an encounter a molecule gains or loses spin-energy, there is a corresponding change in its angular momentum, which can only be explained on the assumption that there is an equal and opposite change in the spin-moment of the photon. This involves definite consequences for the state of polarisation of the scattered light, and opens up the possibility of demonstrating experimentally the existence of angular momentum in radiation.