Thomas J. Pollei

Sep 11, 2023 | link.aps.org | Adam Behnke |Kevin Webb |Thomas J. Pollei

A definitive theory for the optical or electromagnetic force density in condensed matter has remained elusive. Integral in such a theory is how material interfaces are treated. To build collective understanding, a general planar interface situation between vacuum and a semi-infinite, nonmagnetizable material medium is studied analytically using two electromagnetic force density formulations and an obliquely incident, p-polarized plane wave impinging on the material surface.