Radiation pressure on a moving body: beyond the Doppler effect

TL;DR

This paper reveals that velocity-dependent radiation pressure on moving objects arises from polarization mixing due to Lorentz transformations, not just the Doppler effect, impacting nano-optomechanics.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework showing polarization mixing effects as a source of velocity-dependent radiation pressure beyond Doppler considerations.

Findings

Velocity-dependent radiation pressure originates from polarization mixing.

Lorentz transformations cause polarization effects independent of frequency shifts.

The theory applies to nano-optomechanics of moving bodies.

Abstract

The dependence of macroscopic radiation pressure on the velocity of the object being pushed is commonly attributed to the Doppler effect. This need not be the case, and here we highlight velocity dependent radiation pressure terms that have their origins in the mixing of s and p polarizations brought about by the Lorentz transformation between the lab and the material rest frame, rather than in the corresponding transformation of frequency and wavevector. The theory we develop is relevant to the nano-optomechanics of moving bodies.