The quantum theory of dispersion in metallic conductors

Abstract

1. Formulation of the problem. - The propagation of electromagnetic waves in a homogeneous isotropic medium showing metallic conductivity has been treated phenomenologically on the basis of classical electrodynamics. If in Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field curl E = - 1/ c ∂B/∂ t , curl H = 1/ c (∂D/∂ t + 4πI), div D = 4πρ, div B = 0, we assume that D = εE, B = μH, I = σE, (1) where e is the dielectric constant, u the permeability and q the electrical conductivity, we get curl E = - μ/c ∂H/∂ t , curl H = 1/ c (ε ∂E/∂ t 4πσE), div E = 4πρ/ε. div H =0.