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)