Formal equivalence between Maxwell equations and the de Broglie-Bohm theory for two-dimensional optical microcavities

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a formal equivalence between Maxwell's equations and the de Broglie-Bohm theory in two-dimensional optical microcavities, with implications for microphotonics and interpretations of recent experiments.

Contribution

It establishes a theoretical link between electromagnetic energy conservation and quantum probability fluid in microcavities, extending the analysis to include photon spin and stochastic effects.

Findings

Formal equivalence between Maxwell and de Broglie-Bohm in microcavities

Implications for interpreting recent experiments refuting de Broglie-Bohm

Extensions considering photon spin and stochastic losses

Abstract

We analyze the formal equivalence between the electromagnetic energy conservation law derived from Maxwell's equations in an optical microcavity and the conservation of a probability fluid associated with the de Broglie-Bohm theory for an effective massive particle describing a photon in this cavity. This work is part of a critical analysis of recent experiments [Nature \textbf{643}, 67-72 (2025)] carried out with a view to refuting the de Broglie-Bohm theory. Furthermore, the consequences of our analysis for microphotonics go far beyond these experiments. In particular, extensions that take into account photon spin and stochastic aspects associated with radiative or absorption losses are considered.