On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy

Alexander J. MacLeod; Adam Noble; Dino A. Jaroszynski

doi:10.1117/12.2269630

On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy

Alexander J. MacLeod, Adam Noble, Dino A. Jaroszynski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

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Abstract

The Abraham-Minkowski controversy is the debate surrounding the "correct" form of the energy-momentum tensor of light in a medium. Over a century of theoretical and experimental studies have consistently produced conflicting results, with no consensus being found on how best to describe the influence of a material on the propagation of light. It has been argued that the total energy-momentum tensor for each of the theories, which includes both wave and material components, are equal. The difficulty in separating the full energy-momentum tensor is generally attributed to the fact that one cannot obtain the energy-momentum tensor of the medium for real materials. Non-linear electrodynamics provides an opportunity to approach the debate from an all optical set up, where the role of the medium is replaced by the vacuum under the influence of a strong background field. We derive, from first principles, the general form of the energy-momentum tensor in such theories, and use our results to shed some light on this long standing issue.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II
Editors	Dino Jaroszynski
Place of Publication	Bellingham, Washington
Number of pages	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2269630
Publication status	Published - 15 May 2017
Event	SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics - Clarion Congress Hote, Prague, Czech Republic Duration: 24 Apr 2017 → 27 Apr 2017 http://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/optics-and-optoelectronics https://spie.org/EOO/conferencedetails/harnessing-relativistic-plasma-waves

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE
Publisher	Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
Volume	10234
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X

Conference

Conference	SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics
Country	Czech Republic
City	Prague
Period	24/04/17 → 27/04/17
Internet address	http://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/optics-and-optoelectronics https://spie.org/EOO/conferencedetails/harnessing-relativistic-plasma-waves

Keywords

Abraham-Minkowski controversy
slow light experiments
non-linear vacuum electrodynamics
Euler-Heisenberg
Born-Infeld

Access to Document

10.1117/12.2269630

Macleod-etal-PSPIE-2017-On-the-energy-momentum-tensor-of-light-in-strong-fieldsAccepted author manuscript, 195 KB

http://spie.org/Publications/Proceedings/Volume/10234

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Lab in a bubble
Jaroszynski, D., Boyd, M., Brunetti, E., Ersfeld, B., Hidding, B., McKenna, P., Noble, A., Sheng, Z., Vieux, G., Welsh, G. H. & Wiggins, M.
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/04/16 → 31/03/21
Project: Research
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP - University of Strathclyde) | MacLeod, Alexander
Jaroszynski, D., Noble, A. & MacLeod, A.
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/10/15 → 12/04/19
Project: Research Studentship - Internally Allocated

Cite this

@inproceedings{1a4bf7db713244a4ad8acac840bc3b8a,

title = "On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy",

abstract = "The Abraham-Minkowski controversy is the debate surrounding the {"}correct{"} form of the energy-momentum tensor of light in a medium. Over a century of theoretical and experimental studies have consistently produced conflicting results, with no consensus being found on how best to describe the influence of a material on the propagation of light. It has been argued that the total energy-momentum tensor for each of the theories, which includes both wave and material components, are equal. The difficulty in separating the full energy-momentum tensor is generally attributed to the fact that one cannot obtain the energy-momentum tensor of the medium for real materials. Non-linear electrodynamics provides an opportunity to approach the debate from an all optical set up, where the role of the medium is replaced by the vacuum under the influence of a strong background field. We derive, from first principles, the general form of the energy-momentum tensor in such theories, and use our results to shed some light on this long standing issue.",

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author = "MacLeod, {Alexander J.} and Adam Noble and Jaroszynski, {Dino A.}",

note = "MacLeod, A. J., Noble, A., & Jaroszynski, D. A. (2017). On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy. In D. Jaroszynski (Ed.), Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II. [102340F] (Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 10234). Bellingham, Washington: Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). DOI: 10.1117/12.2269630 Copyright (2017) Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this publication for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the contents of the publication are prohibited. ; SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics ; Conference date: 24-04-2017 Through 27-04-2017",

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MacLeod, AJ, Noble, A & Jaroszynski, DA 2017, On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy. in D Jaroszynski (ed.), Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II., 102340F, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 10234, Bellingham, Washington, SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, Prague, Czech Republic, 24/04/17. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2269630

On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields : an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy. / MacLeod, Alexander J.; Noble, Adam ; Jaroszynski, Dino A.

Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II. ed. / Dino Jaroszynski. Bellingham, Washington, 2017. 102340F (Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 10234).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

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N1 - MacLeod, A. J., Noble, A., & Jaroszynski, D. A. (2017). On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy. In D. Jaroszynski (Ed.), Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II. [102340F] (Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 10234). Bellingham, Washington: Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). DOI: 10.1117/12.2269630 Copyright (2017) Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this publication for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the contents of the publication are prohibited.

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AB - The Abraham-Minkowski controversy is the debate surrounding the "correct" form of the energy-momentum tensor of light in a medium. Over a century of theoretical and experimental studies have consistently produced conflicting results, with no consensus being found on how best to describe the influence of a material on the propagation of light. It has been argued that the total energy-momentum tensor for each of the theories, which includes both wave and material components, are equal. The difficulty in separating the full energy-momentum tensor is generally attributed to the fact that one cannot obtain the energy-momentum tensor of the medium for real materials. Non-linear electrodynamics provides an opportunity to approach the debate from an all optical set up, where the role of the medium is replaced by the vacuum under the influence of a strong background field. We derive, from first principles, the general form of the energy-momentum tensor in such theories, and use our results to shed some light on this long standing issue.

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KW - slow light experiments

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KW - Euler-Heisenberg

KW - Born-Infeld

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U2 - 10.1117/12.2269630

DO - 10.1117/12.2269630

M3 - Conference contribution book

SN - 9781510609693

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE

BT - Relativistic Plasma Waves and Particle Beams as Coherent and Incoherent Radiation Sources II

A2 - Jaroszynski, Dino

CY - Bellingham, Washington

Y2 - 24 April 2017 through 27 April 2017

ER -

On the energy-momentum tensor of light in strong fields: an all optical view of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Lab in a bubble

Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP - University of Strathclyde) | MacLeod, Alexander

Cite this