PPPL-4769

Axiomatic Geometrical Optics, Abraham-Minkowski Controversy, and Photon Properties Derived Classically

Authors: L.Y. Dodin and N.J. Fisch

Abstract:
By restating geometrical optics within the eld-theoretical approach, the classical concept of a photon in arbitrary dispersive medium is introduced, and photon properties are calculated unambiguously. In particular, the canonical and kinetic momenta carried by a photon, as well as the two corresponding energy-momentum tensors of a wave, are derived straightforwardly from rst principles of Lagrangian mechanics. The Abraham-Minkowski controversy pertaining to the de nitions of these quantities is thereby resolved for linear waves of arbitrary nature, and corrections to the traditional formulas for the photon kinetic quantities are found. An application of axiomatic geometrical optics to electromagnetic waves is also presented as an example.
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Submitted to: Physical Review Letters (May 2012)

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