Generalized Arago-Fresnel laws: The EME-flow-line description

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new trajectory-based interpretation of the Arago-Fresnel laws for polarized light using electromagnetic energy flow lines, supported by experimental and theoretical analysis of interference patterns behind a diffraction grating.

Contribution

It presents a novel electromagnetic energy flow line approach to explain polarization effects in interference, offering a trajectory perspective compared to traditional interpretations.

Findings

Electromagnetic energy flow lines align with photon paths.

Polarization influences interference patterns as explained by flow lines.

The approach provides a new interpretation of the Arago-Fresnel laws.

Abstract

We study experimentally and theoretically the influence of light polarization on the interference patterns behind a diffracting grating. Different states of polarization and configurations are been considered. The experiments are analyzed in terms of electromagnetic energy (EME) flow lines, which can be eventually identified with the paths followed by photons. This gives rise to a novel trajectory interpretation of the Arago-Fresnel laws for polarized light, which we compare with interpretations based on the concept of "which-way" (or "which-slit") information.