Fractional values of orbital angular momentum in problems of classical physics

Abstract

Classical field theory problems for which the presence of nontrivial topological Pauli phase is essential (i.e. fractional values of the orbital angular momentum are possible in two-dimensional case) are discussed within the two-dimensional Helmholtz equation. As examples, we consider the “wedge problem” — determination of the field created by a point charge placed between two conducting half-planes — and the Fresnel diffraction from knife edge.