Local-photon model of the momentum of light

TL;DR

This paper introduces a local photon model to define and analyze the momentum of light, providing new insights into the Abraham-Minkowski controversy and aligning with Minkowski's theory while highlighting key differences.

Contribution

It presents a local photon approach to model electromagnetic field momentum, offering a quantum-mechanical perspective and analyzing photon momentum dynamics in dielectric media.

Findings

Aligns with Minkowski's theory of photon momentum

Provides a quantum-mechanical definition of light momentum

Highlights differences with classical formulations

Abstract

Recently we introduced a local photon approach for modelling the quantised electromagnetic field in position space. Using this approach, we define the momentum of light in this paper as in quantum mechanics as the generator for spatial translation. Afterwards, we analyse the momentum dynamics of photonic wave packets which transition from air into a denser dielectric medium. Our analysis shines new light onto the Abraham-Minkowski controversy which highlights the intricacies involved in the characterisation of the momentum of the electromagnetic field. Although our results align with Minkowski's theory and with the definition of the canonical momentum of light in quantum electrodynamics, there are also some crucial differences.