The momentum of an electromagnetic wave inside a dielectric

TL;DR

This paper re-examines the electromagnetic momentum inside dielectrics, favoring the Abraham expression through a power expansion approach, and demonstrates the generality of these findings.

Contribution

It provides a new analysis supporting the Abraham momentum as the correct description in dielectric media, using a power expansion method and natural force assumptions.

Findings

The Abraham momentum is highly favored over Minkowski.

The results are shown to be generally applicable.

The approach uses a power expansion in polarizability.

Abstract

The problem of assigning a momentum to an electromagnetic wave packet propagating inside an insulator has become known under the name of the Abraham-Minkowski controversy. In the present paper we re-examine the question, first through a power expansion in the polarizability of the medium and assuming the simplest and most natural choice for the force exerted on a dielectric material by an electromagnetic field. It is shown that the Abraham expression is highly favoured. We then show the complete generality of these results.