The discussion focuses on the conservation of momentum in the context of second-order non-linear optics, specifically when light of frequency ω interacts with a non-linear medium to produce radiation at frequency 2ω. It is established that while the momentum of the field and matter individually may not be conserved, the total momentum of the field plus matter is conserved. The conversation references Maxwell's equations and highlights a key paper that addresses the momentum transfer from the electromagnetic field to matter, which is crucial for understanding this phenomenon.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, optical engineers, and researchers in non-linear optics who are interested in the principles of momentum conservation and its implications in electromagnetic theory.
Thanks for your reply. I guessed it. The fields somehow transfer some amount of momentum to matter. But I couldn't explain this using Maxwell's equations. Will you please elaborate?Dale said:The momentum of the field plus the matter is conserved. The momentum of the field alone or the matter alone need not be conserved.
This is a longstanding debate in the literature, but my favorite paper on the topic is this one (which I think completely resolves the debate)Korak Biswas said:Will you please elaborate?
Thanks once again. I will go through this and come back to you if necessary.Dale said:This is a longstanding debate in the literature, but my favorite paper on the topic is this one (which I think completely resolves the debate)
https://arxiv.org/abs/0710.0461