Abstract
Does the Abraham or the Minkowski momentum describe the momentum transport of light in media? Here we show that this is a question of fluid dynamics. In momentum transport, neither the Abraham nor the Minkowski momentum is fundamental, but they emerge depending on the fluid-mechanical response of the medium on the light. If the fluid is not brought into motion, the Minkowski momentum emerges, if it moves the Abraham momentum appears.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 033801 |
Journal | Physical Review A |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2 Sep 2014 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics