Application of axiomatic formal theory to the Abraham--Minkowski controversy

TL;DR

This paper uses axiomatic formal theory to analyze the Abraham--Minkowski controversy, revealing inconsistencies in current electrodynamics and relativity applications in dielectrics, and proposes a new consistent theoretical framework.

Contribution

It identifies fundamental inconsistencies in existing theories and develops a new, mutually consistent theoretical approach for electrodynamics and relativity in dielectric media.

Findings

Current theories are mutually inconsistent in dielectrics.

Established principles contradict conservation laws in dielectric media.

Proposes a new theoretical framework for dielectric electrodynamics.

Abstract

We treat continuum electrodynamics as an axiomatic formal theory based on the macroscopic Maxwell--Minkowski equations applied to a thermodynamically closed system consisting of an antireflection-coated block of a simple linear dielectric material situated in free-space that is illuminated by a quasimonochromatic field. We prove that valid theorems of the formal theory of Maxwellian continuum electrodynamics are inconsistent with conservation laws for the inviscid incoherent flow of non-interacting particles (photons) in the continuum limit (light field) in the absence of external forces, pressures, or constraints. We also show that valid theorems of Maxwellian continuum electrodynamics are contradicted by the refractive index-independent Lorentz factor of von Laue's application of Einstein's special relativity to a dielectric medium. Obviously, the fundamental physical principles in the vacuum are not affected. However, the extant theoretical treatments of electrodynamics, special relativity, and energy--momentum conservation must be regarded as being mutually inconsistent in a simple linear dielectric in which the effective speed of light is $c/n$. Having proven that the established applications of fundamental physical principles to dielectric materials lead to mutually inconsistent theories, we derive, from first principles, a mutually consistent, alternative theoretical treatment of electrodynamics, special relativity, and energy--momentum conservation in an isotropic, homogeneous, linear dielectric-filled, flat, non-Minkowski, continuous material spacetime.