Radiation pressure and photon momentum in negative-index media

Masud Mansuripur, Armis R. Zakharian

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Radiation pressure and photon momentum in negative-index media are no different than their counterparts in ordinary (positive-index) materials. This is because the parameters responsible for these properties are the admittance √ε/μ and the group refractive index ng of the material (both positive entities), and not the phase refractive index n = √εμ, which is negative in negative-index media. One approach to investigating the exchange of momentum between electromagnetic waves and material media is via the Doppler shift phenomenon. In this paper we use the Doppler shift to arrive at an expression for the radiation pressure on a mirror submerged in a negative-index medium. In preparation for the analysis, we investigate the phenomenon of Doppler shift in various settings, and show the conditions under which a so-called "inverse" Doppler shift could occur. We also argue that a recent observation of the inverse Doppler shift upon reflection from a negative-index medium cannot be correct, because it violates the conservation laws.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMetamaterials
Subtitle of host publicationFundamentals and Applications V
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventMetamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications V - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Aug 12 2012Aug 16 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8455
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherMetamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications V
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/12/128/16/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Radiation pressure and photon momentum in negative-index media'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this