  We investigate the effects of a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam on the
superconducting state. We show that the vortex angular momentum of a LG beam
affects the superconducting state and induces currents. The induction of the
current by light is illustrated on a Josephson loop and SQUID devices. In
particular, we establish that coupling a dc SQUID to the AC magnetic flux of a
LG beam can stabilize pi phase in the SQUID. This can happen via developing a
global or local minimum in the effective potential at pi. In the latter case,
this happens via the Kapitza mechanism.
