The enigma of optical momentum in a medium

Author:

Barnett Stephen M.1,Loudon Rodney2

Affiliation:

1. Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, UK

2. School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK

Abstract

It is 100 years since Minkowski and Abraham first gave rival expressions for the momentum of light in a material medium. At the single-photon level, these correspond, respectively, either to multiplying or dividing the free-space value ( ) by the refractive index ( n ). The debate that this work started has continued till the present day, punctuated by the occasional publication of ‘decisive’ experimental demonstrations supporting one or other of these values. We review the compelling arguments made in support of the Minkowski and Abraham forms and are led to the conclusion that both momenta are correct. We explain why two distinct momenta are needed to describe light in a medium and why each appears as the natural, and experimentally observed, momentum in appropriate situations.

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

General Physics and Astronomy,General Engineering,General Mathematics

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