Local-photon model of the momentum of light
Recently we introduced a local photon approach for modeling the quantized electromagnetic field in position space. Using this approach, we define the momentum of light in this paper as in quantum mechanics as the generator for spatial translation. Afterward, we analyze the momentum dynamics of photonic wave packets which transition from air into a denser dielectric medium. Our analysis shines new light onto the Abraham-Minkowski controversy, which highlights the intricacies involved in the characterization of the momentum of the electromagnetic field. Although our results align with Minkowski's theory and with the definition of the canonical momentum of light in quantum electrodynamics, there are also some crucial differences.
Authors
- Almut Beige (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7230-4220)
- Ben Lang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5602-9166)
- Daniel Hodgson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9799-9440)
- Varghese Alapatt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9605-3273)
- Gabriel Waite
Institutions
- University of Technology Sydney (AU)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Universitat de València (ES)
- Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical review. A/Physical review, A
- Published
- 2025-02-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.111.023703
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Mechanics and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.49
Funders
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, Australian Research Council