helicity
- physics the projection of the spin of an elementary particle on the direction of propagation
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Word Origin
C20: from helix + -ity
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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helicity
[hə-lĭs′ĭ-tē, hē′]
- The projection of a particle's spin vector in the direction of its momentum vector, being positive if it points in the same direction, and negative if it points in the opposite direction. Helicity is in effect the handedness, or chirality, of the spin of a particle.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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