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Resolution of the Abraham-Minkowski Dilemma

Stephen M. Barnett
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 070401 – Published 17 February 2010

Abstract

The dilemma of identifying the correct form for the momentum of light in a medium has run for a century and has been informed by many distinguished contributions, both theoretical and experimental. We show that both the Abraham and Minkowski forms of the momentum density are correct, with the former being the kinetic momentum and the latter the canonical momentum. This identification allows us to explain why the experiments supporting each of the rival momenta gave the results that they did. The inclusion of dispersion and absorption provides an interesting subtlety, but does not change our conclusion.

  • Figure
  • Received 7 October 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.070401

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Stephen M. Barnett

  • Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 7 — 19 February 2010

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