On the origin of photon mass, momentum, and energy in a dielectric medium [Invited]

verfasst von
Nikolai B. Chichkov, Boris N. Chichkov
Abstract

The debate and controversy concerning the momentum of light in a dielectric medium (Abraham vs Minkowski) is well-known and still not fully resolved. In this paper, we investigate the origin of both momenta in the frame of special relativity by considering photons in media as relativistic quasiparticles. We demonstrate for the first time to the best of our knowledge that the Minkowski form of the photon mass, momentum, and energy follows directly from the relativistic energy conservation law. We introduce a new expression for the momentum of light in a dispersive medium, consistent with the experimentally observed propagation of photons at the group velocity. Finally, the effect of light-induced optical stretching is discussed, which can be used for experimental verification of the existing expressions for the photon momentum.

Organisationseinheit(en)
Institut für Quantenoptik
QuantumFrontiers
PhoenixD: Simulation, Fabrikation und Anwendung optischer Systeme
Externe Organisation(en)
Aston University
Typ
Artikel
Journal
Optical materials express
Band
11
Seiten
2722-2729
Anzahl der Seiten
8
ISSN
2159-3930
Publikationsdatum
08.2021
Publikationsstatus
Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Elektronische, optische und magnetische Materialien
Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung
SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie
Elektronische Version(en)
https://doi.org/10.1364/OME.436306 (Zugang: Offen)