Optical Conductivity: Explained & Compared to DC Conductivity

[Master J]

I've searched the net and haven't found an explanation for the term, so hopefully this will now return on searches for people. Besides, I'm confused about the term myself.

What is meant by "optical conductivity"? How is it different from say a DC conductivity in J = cE where c is conductivity, J current density, E electric field?

Thanks

 

[ZapperZ]

It is the transport of photons through a material.

Zz.

 

[Master J]

How is it characterized? Is there a similar equation as to J = cE ??

 

[ZapperZ]

Well, that relationship doesn't make sense with photons, does it? After all, photons are NOT affected by the applied E field. So already you can reason this out.

The conductivity of light through a material is not as simple. The material's properties themselves have significant influence on the absorption, scattering, etc. of light, (example: phonon modes that are available). So this is not a trivial thing to describe.

Zz.